GTaudiophile
Lifer
I personally do not feel that I can afford kids. My GF and I make around $150K in DC. This puts us squarely in the "comfy" middle-class territory. If we had a child, we would be unable to afford our current $2300/month rent. We'd have to move (probably to VA where the schools are at least decent), buy a car (we don't have one), and join the commute rat race, not to mention live in an area that "culturally" wouldn't appeal as much to us as living in downtown DC.
As someone who was raised mostly in the private school system, I would make this a priority for any child of mine, adding an additional $20-30K per year in tuition payments from grammar school onwards, not to mention saving for college tuition that will be at least $50-60k/year in the next 20 years. Where does this money come from?
Of course, my wife would also want to do it "right" and stay home to raise the child, thus further reducing our income by 60% or so, making the process that much more difficult. (She would want to do this much to the chagrin of her two Master's Degrees.)
Personal comfort and finance issues aside, why would I want to bring a child into a world (country) in decline? I mean, we are on our way to a situation that will make the Great Depression look like a party, so why would I want a child to endure that? Why would I bring them into a world where the quality of life will be lower than mine? We have no concept of the level of destitution and violence that awaits this country as the house of cards begins to collapse at every level of government. Social structures as we know them will begin to break down. US Dollars will become worthless.
Finally, but perhaps least of all, children (population growth) are a negative impact on our environment. From consumption to pollution, they only exacerbate the problem.
In summation, I am just fine by having a few pets. My need to nurture is taken care of without all of consequences I listed above.
Don't like my logic? Tough but I wish you the best of luck and a long, happy life with your children. Congratulations.
Like my avatar suggests, the cake is a lie!
As someone who was raised mostly in the private school system, I would make this a priority for any child of mine, adding an additional $20-30K per year in tuition payments from grammar school onwards, not to mention saving for college tuition that will be at least $50-60k/year in the next 20 years. Where does this money come from?
Of course, my wife would also want to do it "right" and stay home to raise the child, thus further reducing our income by 60% or so, making the process that much more difficult. (She would want to do this much to the chagrin of her two Master's Degrees.)
Personal comfort and finance issues aside, why would I want to bring a child into a world (country) in decline? I mean, we are on our way to a situation that will make the Great Depression look like a party, so why would I want a child to endure that? Why would I bring them into a world where the quality of life will be lower than mine? We have no concept of the level of destitution and violence that awaits this country as the house of cards begins to collapse at every level of government. Social structures as we know them will begin to break down. US Dollars will become worthless.
Finally, but perhaps least of all, children (population growth) are a negative impact on our environment. From consumption to pollution, they only exacerbate the problem.
In summation, I am just fine by having a few pets. My need to nurture is taken care of without all of consequences I listed above.
Don't like my logic? Tough but I wish you the best of luck and a long, happy life with your children. Congratulations.
Like my avatar suggests, the cake is a lie!
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