What are the benefits of having children?

[gorcorps]

Tax deduction and you get to name them whatever you want and they have to stick with it till they're old enough to legally change it.

My last name is DeForest, and I want to name my kids Choppin and Burnin. They may hate me but it'll be awesome while it lasts.

 

[Special K]

The tax deduction argument never made sense to me. It's like saying "Hey - if you spend $10,000 this year that you otherwise wouldn't have spent, I'll give you $1000 of it back"

Wow, what a deal

Seriously though, I'd guess the reasons most give wouldn't have anything to do with finances.

 

[aphex]

Not everything is quantifiable.

 

[KeithTalent]

I've heard parents say they had kids because they a) want someone to take care of them when they are old b) so they are not lonely when they are old. Pretty similar reasons. Both equally ridiculous as well.

I can't think of a reason to have kids right now, which is why I don't have any. That, of course, may change in the future.

KT

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: Drekce
The amount of selfishness that comes out in these "Why have kids threads" really amazes me. Rarely does anyone say something like "There are already too many people in the world" as their reason to not have kids. It almost always boils down to them being selfish with their time and money.

Sure, it is everyone's choice and right to decide whether they want to have kids, but the selfishness floors me.

I can't believe the selfishness of some people, coming into a "why have kids?" thread and starting a discussion that is totally off topic from the OP. Rarely do they ever start an alternative thread to discuss their view. It almost boils down to them being selfish with their time and wanting to thread-crap instead of starting a new thread.

Sure it's everyone's to choice to post whatever they want, but the selfishness floors me.

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: Brovane

Originally posted by: Nebor
In your opinion, what are the benefits of having children? Considering the significant real costs (food, clothing, diapers, medical care, etc.) of approx. $250,000 per child, plus the opportunity costs (all the other things you could be doing with your time instead of having and raising children.)

In your mind, what are the benefits that make children worth having? Instinct to propagate? Recieving or giving love? Societal pressure to "fit in?" Wanting to carry on a bloodline or family name?

Children are not for everyone. I really didn't understand the fatherhood until I held my first born child in my arms. Realizing that the child you are holding is something that you have created with God and your spouse. To me they bring lots of joy and happiness into my life and I look forward to seeing them grow up even when they act like brats sometimes. That being said, two children are more than enough for me.

you had a threesome with god?

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: ironwing

Originally posted by: Drekce
The amount of selfishness that comes out in these "Why have kids threads" really amazes me. Rarely does anyone say something like "There are already too many people in the world" as their reason to not have kids. It almost always boils down to them being selfish with their time and money.

Sure, it is everyone's choice and right to decide whether they want to have kids, but the selfishness floors me.

The decision to have children is the single most selfish act most people take over the course of their lives.

How is having kids being selfish

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO

Originally posted by: ironwing

Originally posted by: Drekce
The amount of selfishness that comes out in these "Why have kids threads" really amazes me. Rarely does anyone say something like "There are already too many people in the world" as their reason to not have kids. It almost always boils down to them being selfish with their time and money.

Sure, it is everyone's choice and right to decide whether they want to have kids, but the selfishness floors me.

The decision to have children is the single most selfish act most people take over the course of their lives.

How is having kids being selfish

Anything you actively choose to do can be construed as selfish. Wanting to have kids gets thrown in that label. Not having kids does. Wanting a dog instead of a goldfish does. Wanting more money for your job. Wanting an education ect.

Being selfish doesn't mean it's a bad choice. It's just a lame ass label that people can toss around when they have no better argument.

 

[vi edit]

As for my wife and I's decision...

Well for the first five years of our marriage (and the 5 years before that) we'd simply go to work, come home read a book or watch TV. Maybe go out and do some things. Play video games. Sit on the internet and waste time. Ect.

It's fun for a while, but we wanted something more in our lives. Since having a child the last 5 months of my life have been an absolute blur. Kids just provide you with a different adventure, a different learning experience, and new way to find humor and humbleness on almost a daily basis.

You enjoy your free time more when you get it, enjoy your spouse more when you get some free moments together, and just have a much more fulfilling life than before.

Obviously this all changes when they hit the teenage years

It's not a lifestyle for everyone, and it's not even a good one for some people that even do have kids...but it's certainly making my life go a hell of a lot quicker. Which is something that I wasn't feeling pre-kids.

 

[rchiu]

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: Engineer
Some of you people really don't have a clue. Too bad that many of your parents didn't feel the way that the bullshit is thrown around in this thread and NOT have kids themselves.

There is nothing like a child and their love. You can have dogs, property, your big toys....but there is nothing like a child and that child's love in the world. It's sad that many in this thread can't see that but maybe it's a blessing that you won't pass on your piss poor views on for generations to come.


*shakes head at the i-me generation*

I don't have an opinion to voice, I just wanted to get some ideas for a section of a paper I'm co-authoring. Some opinions from the peanut gallery about what percieved benefits they recieve from children might make it in.

Well, you are asking the wrong question. If you are looking for the "benefit" to yourself for having kids, forget about it. It's not about yourself and in the end, you probably won't benefit much for having a kids.

But then again, you probably don't understand love is not only about what you receive, but also about what you give and sacrifice too.

Like I said, the US is becoming a self-entitlement country. People think they are entitled to everything, and everything else, unless there is benefit or profit, people are not gonna do it. Forget about giving, forget about sacrifice, anything that takes any time, money or effort from you isn't worth crap unless there is something in it for you. And you people are wondering why American as a society and country and going down....

 

[dr150]

Originally posted by: Brovane
When you come home from a rough day at work and you hear your children scream that Daddy's home and come over and give you a kiss and a hug.

I have a dog that does this.

Plus the dog won't spit in my face at 13 telling me to "I HATE you Daddy! Fvck off! I'll fvck him without your permission." speech.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: ChaoZ
They can fetch you beer.

Yeah, but you usually have to wait until they are in their teens before they can successfully brew it for you. :roll:

 

[Perknose]

In all seriousness, though, having children is the bedrock part of the eternal cycle of life, the original method of "paying it forward."

Happiness runs in a circular motion
Thought is like a little boat upon the sea.
Everybody is a part of everything anyway,
You can have everything if you let yourself be.

Of course, if you have to ask, then you are simply not ready; having children is not for you.

 

[Jester22]

Originally posted by: mpitts
One day when you guys are married and the woman starts talking about wanting kids..

You know what.. Nevermind. It doesn't really apply here.

Zing! :laugh:

I'd want to have a kid (just one) so I could basically live through them, seeing as how I accomplished so little in my life. That, and the fact that I'll have a valid excuse to play video games when I'm in my 30s and 40s+.

 

[cHeeZeFacTory]

I love my wife, so it's like having more of the person you love.

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO

Originally posted by: ironwing

Originally posted by: Drekce
The amount of selfishness that comes out in these "Why have kids threads" really amazes me. Rarely does anyone say something like "There are already too many people in the world" as their reason to not have kids. It almost always boils down to them being selfish with their time and money.

Sure, it is everyone's choice and right to decide whether they want to have kids, but the selfishness floors me.

The decision to have children is the single most selfish act most people take over the course of their lives.

How is having kids being selfish

Almost no other action one takes in life makes as many demands on society as the decision to reproduce. Parents view societal support for their kids as an entitlement.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: ironwing

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO

Originally posted by: ironwing

Originally posted by: Drekce
The amount of selfishness that comes out in these "Why have kids threads" really amazes me. Rarely does anyone say something like "There are already too many people in the world" as their reason to not have kids. It almost always boils down to them being selfish with their time and money.

Sure, it is everyone's choice and right to decide whether they want to have kids, but the selfishness floors me.

The decision to have children is the single most selfish act most people take over the course of their lives.

How is having kids being selfish

Almost no other action one takes in life makes as many demands on society as the decision to reproduce. Parents view societal support for their kids as an entitlement.

So if no one has kids, then who eventually pays the bills for roads, national defense, social security, medicare, ect? How about you...you depend on society for food. You don't grow all your own vegetables, grain, and meat do you? Do you do every repair on your home or vehicles on your own? What about healthcare? Do you do your own surgeries and self medicate for everything you've had happen in your life? How about that computer you are posting from...did you cast the silicon wafers and design the CPU and every other piece that went into it to make a functional computer?

WE ALL require support of society in some form or another. We aren't magically producing full functional adult clones to take over for us when we kick the bucket to take our spots.

 

[dawp]

Originally posted by: Nebor
In your opinion, what are the benefits of having children? Considering the significant real costs (food, clothing, diapers, medical care, etc.) of approx. $250,000 per child, plus the opportunity costs (all the other things you could be doing with your time instead of having and raising children.)

In your mind, what are the benefits that make children worth having? Instinct to propagate? Recieving or giving love? Societal pressure to "fit in?" Wanting to carry on a bloodline or family name?

without kids, good chance the government will get your money when you croak.

 

[CorCentral]

Originally posted by: dawp

Originally posted by: Nebor
In your opinion, what are the benefits of having children? Considering the significant real costs (food, clothing, diapers, medical care, etc.) of approx. $250,000 per child, plus the opportunity costs (all the other things you could be doing with your time instead of having and raising children.)

In your mind, what are the benefits that make children worth having? Instinct to propagate? Recieving or giving love? Societal pressure to "fit in?" Wanting to carry on a bloodline or family name?

without kids, good chance the government will get your money when you croak.

Not my money buddy! That's what a Will is for......... No, not Shakespeare or Smith :laugh:

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Nebor
In your opinion, what are the benefits of having children? Considering the significant real costs (food, clothing, diapers, medical care, etc.) of approx. $250,000 per child, plus the opportunity costs (all the other things you could be doing with your time instead of having and raising children.)

In your mind, what are the benefits that make children worth having? Instinct to propagate? Recieving or giving love? Societal pressure to "fit in?" Wanting to carry on a bloodline or family name?

My wife wanted one and I wanted to keep boning her so I relented.

I have a 6 year old son now and I don't think there's any way I could possibly put into words what he means to me. I can tell you with absolute certainty that it's none of the things you listed though.