Animals or children, who would you choose?

[FarligOpptreden]

Thats just ego. I don't like that whole don't knock it before you try it. With that logic you can say don't knock drugs till you try it or don't knock murder until you try it. I see a lot of people having kids for selfish reasons(not aiming at anyone here)Or having them for the sake of having them. And as for the meaning of life there is no meaning. It just is.

Dude, it doesn't take a psychologist to see you've been hurt somewhere in life. Is your joining the army thing some form of escapism perhaps? Mind you, don't answer that. This is probably not the place to discuss it, being a public forum and all...

 

[Blazzok]

We have a (crazy) cat which we both love and enjoy a lot. Our cat does unpredictable things that make us a laugh quite often.

My wife is also pregnant with our first one at the moment, which is scary and exciting at the same time.

So I voted for both

 

[Solitude]

...

Some say the meaning of life is to pass on your legacy and I quite agree with that. If we don't pass on our genes to a new generation, who will be left to carry on our species? What value will wealth and knowledge be if you can't pass on an inheretance?

The earth is overpopulated and humankind is growing too fast. The world population is currently growing by approximately 74 million people per year (from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_overpopulation)

Would you not say that not having a child will make it better for future generations? Our species will carry on regardless of us. When I die I can give all my inheritance to charity. My knowledge is widely available on the internet.

So my counter point (as mentioned by Tsar): Is it not selfish to have children?

 

[DuckKnuckle]

We have a (crazy) cat which we both love and enjoy a lot. Our cat does unpredictable things that make us a laugh quite often.

My wife is also pregnant with our first one at the moment, which is scary and exciting at the same time.

So I voted for both

Wow congratulations buddy!

 

[Solitude]

We have a (crazy) cat which we both love and enjoy a lot. Our cat does unpredictable things that make us a laugh quite often.

My wife is also pregnant with our first one at the moment, which is scary and exciting at the same time.

So I voted for both

Congrats Blazzok!

 

[DarthMol]

The earth is overpopulated and humankind is growing too fast. The world population is currently growing by approximately 74 million people per year (from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_overpopulation)

Would you not say that not having a child will make it better for future generations? Our species will carry on regardless of us. When I die I can give all my inheritance to charity. My knowledge is widely available on the internet.

So my counter point (as mentioned by Tsar): Is it not selfish to have children?

Here's a frinedly counter-argument. I agree that overpopulation is becoming a problem but if one looks at the bulk of population growth it occurs in poorer 3rd World countries - and within a country it is usually the poor with higher birth (although also, death) rates.

As an educated couple, who is financially stable and capable of bringing up children who will in turn be well educated and thus positive contributors to society as a whole, what would be the more selfish option? To have a child or to choose not to due to overpopulation, thus leaving the less advantaged to continue populating the earth with children who are theoretically less likely to contribute to scientific discoveries and logistical, sustainable management that preserve the earth's resources in a sustainable manner?

I also noted in one of the diagrams in the wikipedia article you linked that RSA has a less than 0 growth rate:

So get making those babies!!!

 

[Solitude]

Hehe good reply DarthMol.

 

[Tsar]

Here's a frinedly counter-argument. I agree that overpopulation is becoming a problem but if one looks at the bulk of population growth it occurs in poorer 3rd World countries - and within a country it is usually the poor with higher birth (although also, death) rates.

As an educated couple, who is financially stable and capable of bringing up children who will in turn be well educated and thus positive contributors to society as a whole, what would be the more selfish option? To have a child or to choose not to due to overpopulation, thus leaving the less advantaged to continue populating the earth with children who are theoretically less likely to contribute to scientific discoveries and logistical, sustainable management that preserve the earth's resources in a sustainable manner?

I also noted in one of the diagrams in the wikipedia article you linked that RSA has a less than 0 growth rate:

So get making those babies!!!

I can counter that whole being a good product to society. Some people who come from good homes turn rotten.

 

[FarligOpptreden]

I can counter that whole being a good product to society. Some people who come from good homes turn rotten.

It's all down to education and influences. You need a catalyst for something or someone to turn rotten.

 

[Donisia]

I love animals, don't get me wrong. And I love my son! It's just different. They hold different values in this world.

I had a dog, which was given to me when I was 6 (I think) and he was my bestest friend. I had to have him put down when I was in matric. THE hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life! But you come to terms with it and move on.

The loss of a child, I cannot even begin to comprehend. I cannot fathom moving on or coming to terms with something like that. Not to mention that you would do anything for that child, I would kill or be killed for my child!

I can't say I'd die for my dog. Though I loved him dearly.

I love animals a shit load... so i could say that i would die for them...

 

[Fivel]

The earth is overpopulated and humankind is growing too fast. The world population is currently growing by approximately 74 million people per year (from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_overpopulation)

Would you not say that not having a child will make it better for future generations? Our species will carry on regardless of us. When I die I can give all my inheritance to charity. My knowledge is widely available on the internet.

So my counter point (as mentioned by Tsar): Is it not selfish to have children?

Hmmm sorry I don't buy that for a second......just from engaging with you on the forum I reckon you would be a pretty great dad - but the choice to have or not to have kids is a very personal one.

I'm a much better person because I have kids, sure they drive you crazy and make you feel very under qualified to be a parent many times, the pure joy of spending precious moments with them is priceless.

 

[Donisia]

I must admit, when i loose an animal, and unfortunately that's happened recently, it takes me a long time to get over it. Its been two months already and even thinking about them makes me want to cry. Animals have a much deeper place in my heart than most of humanity.

 

[Fivel]

I must admit, when i loose an animal, and unfortunately that's happened recently, it takes me a long time to get over it. Its been two months already and even thinking about them makes me want to cry. Animals have a much deeper place in my heart than most of humanity.

I hear you, I cannot equate the loss of an animal to the loss of a child. I could get over the loss of an animal but never a child.

 

[TheAvenged87]

Animals. I love animals. I'm sure parents love their kids, but I'm okay with not having any. Still young, shit to do, places to go. I'll have a tough time doing those things while raising kids. I'm not saying you can't do both, but I'll have a tough time.
Maybe one day.

 

[Solitude]

Hmmm sorry I don't buy that for a second......just from engaging with you on the forum I reckon you would be a pretty great dad - but the choice to have or not to have kids is a very personal one.

I'm a much better person because I have kids, sure they drive you crazy and make you feel very under qualified to be a parent many times, the pure joy of spending precious moments with them is priceless.

Thanks Fivel, that's quite the compliment coming from you! Truth is that we have our reasons for not having kids. I respect those who do have children and those who don't. But it's not for us.