Children: Why are people having 4+??

Heather_Rider

The house ain't gonna keep itself clean.

Plus, I hate yardwork.

I refuse to do laundry or dishes.. *shrugs*

hottamolly00

Because Social Security is an abysmal failure, and it's going to take 14 workers for each recipient to keep the checks coming when I hit that age, so my wife and I need 28 kids to cover us, and if we throw a few extra in there, you're welcome.

All joking aside, I have 3 kids, and I'd take a couple more, but we're done and that's okay too. Really, it's no ones business but mine. And as for the whole overpopulation and natural resources aspect, really? Get out of the city and have a look at the other 95% of the worlds land mass, it's called wilderness, and we have plenty, and there is not a single natural resource that is not renewable.

Rigger

THIS! And, one of my obese friends tried to argue the "too many kids and there's a lack of resources, so it's not fair to have so many kids" issue to me. I wanted to say, but I held back, that obese people should also consider said resources, if they see having too many kids as being a problem.

I'm not obese, and I am making that claim as well. Do you now believe the claim because the source is less hypocritical?

I don't believe the claim because there is SO much more world, completely untouched. The claim that a small amount of families choose to have several kids is not enough to argue a lack of resources. There are plenty of couples who have NO kids, ever, so they essentially cancel each other out.

CookNLift

Science.

ldrosophila

I completely agree that it's a pyramid scheme, but acknowledge that fact doesn't help the people who have paid into it for 40 years and about to retire. I was not suggesting to "breed our way out of the problem," just pointing out that the other poster is correct about declining birth rates.

OK, but then the declining birth rate is not why the system will be running into trouble. The system will be running into trouble because it was flawed in its initial design. I acknowledge the declining birth rate. I just don't see it as a problem.

But the system is built on a strong thriving work force to support the few remaining retirees on SSI. That is why the age of qualification continues to increase for both SSI and medicare. It is built on the idea that the majority will die before qualification or spend only a few years on it before death. It was not built to survive on an increased lifespan and fewer children. When the New Deal started expansion was the philosophy both the country and families.

As far as the rest of the world goes...once again the idea of support in you older age only works with a thriving young contributing work force.

Rage_Phish

Because Social Security is an abysmal failure, and it's going to take 14 workers for each recipient to keep the checks coming when I hit that age, so my wife and I need 28 kids to cover us, and if we throw a few extra in there, you're welcome.

All joking aside, I have 3 kids, and I'd take a couple more, but we're done and that's okay too. Really, it's no ones business but mine. And as for the whole overpopulation and natural resources aspect, really? Get out of the city and have a look at the other 95% of the worlds land mass, it's called wilderness, and we have plenty, and there is not a single natural resource that is not renewable.

Rigger

THIS! And, one of my obese friends tried to argue the "too many kids and there's a lack of resources, so it's not fair to have so many kids" issue to me. I wanted to say, but I held back, that obese people should also consider said resources, if they see having too many kids as being a problem.

I'm not obese, and I am making that claim as well. Do you now believe the claim because the source is less hypocritical?

I don't believe the claim because there is SO much more world, completely untouched. The claim that a small amount of families choose to have several kids is not enough to argue a lack of resources. There are plenty of couples who have NO kids, ever, so they essentially cancel each other out.

Guess we'll agree to disagree

Alluminati

Brand New OP: 2 posts

MFP: 9 pages

Well played, OP!

coke_bottle

SIMPLY BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE SEX YOU CAN GET PREGNANT YOU MORON!!!

emmalouc93

Simple answer, because people can do what the hell they want.

Children are amazing, and one of the greatest things to happen to someone. Nothing wrong with a big family, I love them and will have on someday.

ksy1969

LoL, Good Job OP on your first post!! You stirred the pot.

On a side not though, I am married and have two children. My wife and I have often asked each other the same question. With all the kids who need adopting in this country alone, the United States, as well as all the other third world countries, why have more than two of your own.

I personally wouldn't have the patience for it, but I applaud those couples that adopt. In our church alone I see a couple families that are quite large but most of the children are adopted.

jfcarlson713

To all of you that say it's nobody's business how many kids others have - are you kidding me? As soon as you don't get additional exemptions on your tax return and aren't eligible for the Earned Income Credit I would agree. Any kind of public fee or tax that depends on the number of dependents needs to be eliminated. THEN it's none of my business how many kids you have. When a family with 6 kids doesn't have to pay any income tax because of the deductions then they are not financially responsible for their own - I am subsidizing them with MY tax dollars!!!

ReadynWillin

To answer the "Why do you care?" questions.

Overpopulation.

Dwindling natural resources.

Strain on public education.

Strain on healthcare system.

The list goes on and on and on and on.

But that's all I'm saying. I'm positive I'm of the unpopular opinion in this thread.

I understand where you're coming from, but

The current wars/conflicts are sufficient to kill us off fast enough, if not more quickly than we can birth and raise children.

Dwindling natural resources--Even if the population globally were to boom for a sustained period, we would still see a similar consumption trend in resources. Nothing proportional to the increase at the very least. Industry is more of a determining factor than flat population figures here.

For the last two you listed, the majority of economists are constantly attributing the problem to an aging workforce with *fewer* new workers (children) produced per household. Due to *generally* smaller households (widespread practice of abortion somewhat affects the figures as well), there will not be *enough* children to support the nation's workings at large. So, do your country a favor, everyone--HAVE MOAR BABYZ! So long as you have the means to raise them properly, that is :flowerforyou:

meadowsmummy

http://news.yahoo.com/boys-club-michigan-couple-welcomes-12th-son-000746549.html

plantgrrl

Oh...silly OP! You forgot your filter again didn't you? I AM married and don't want kids. (So many reasons, all mine) I kind of agree with you, but I wouldn't start a post about it. That would be like going and starting a thread about "why religion...?"

They can have there big families...the earth *obviously* needs more people. LOL

Now if only I could get people to stop acting pissy when I tell them I'm not having kids after they imply I will change my mind...Next person who condescends to me on that is getting a punch in the mouth.

Let's all agree to stop talking about/interfering with each other's reproductive stuff, America! It would make us all less angry.

tumblindice

I work in a middle school..I would give my opinion, but it would be extremely unpleasant.

randomtai

To all of you that say it's nobody's business how many kids others have - are you kidding me? As soon as you don't get additional exemptions on your tax return and aren't eligible for the Earned Income Credit I would agree. Any kind of public fee or tax that depends on the number of dependents needs to be eliminated. THEN it's none of my business how many kids you have. When a family with 6 kids doesn't have to pay any income tax because of the deductions then they are not financially responsible for their own - I am subsidizing them with MY tax dollars!!!

Bitter much?

Elisirmon

I find it funny if you all do some research you will find most of our famous people in history and inventors all came from poor, big families....money can't buy everything but love and experience sure can teach you it,.

plantgrrl

Please site your sources.

RobynSmithIBECHS

My question :
Children: Why are people who aren't prepared having them?

Or if you prefer

Children: Why are people having them?

cmurphy252

That is an easy question to answer, there working the system. Have more get more money. Simple as that.

OMG! You get money for having a lot of kids? Dang it! We have 5 that we've been supporting ourselves all this time. Please tell me where I apply for this "free money".

Yeah, I missed the boat on that one too. Maybe because I only have two? I want my free money. :explode:

You should look at your tax return... each one is worth $1000 a pop/year. Whoohoo! Free money.

Woohoo!! Why did I stop at one child?? That $1000 tax credit clearly offsets and exceeds the expenses incurred annually for raising my daughter and now putting her through college :noway: .

240at50aim4140

Because people are more important than things.

Freedom to pursue happiness as each person sees fit.

People are free to spend their money increasing family, and people are free to spend their money increasing material possessions or hobbies.

JF Carlson - take that up with your government, not the people who are forced to live under the government rules.
If you don't like the system, like most people who have large families, then change it. I'm sure they would be very glad of that.

I love large families. I had four. I've lost my home, lost my way of life - but I've never gone on public assistance in any way. You are mocking the wrong people.

I notice that the image people are using to mock large families is a completely self-sufficient family that raises great kids and contributes to the community. I didn't go through the whole thread, but I didn't see an image of welfare moms who have a different father for nearly every child and let them go play in the streets.

Upside down thinking.

aliann30

It is everyone's business when we're very seriously facing over-population and diminishing natural resources. Further, if these parents don't have the finances and mental capacity to raise their handfuls of children properly, the burden falls to the tax payers.

Ignorance should mind it's own business.

So a woman's right to choose only goes one way? Ok, that's cool. I have enough kids for both of us anyway. Added bonus: I get to raise them all however I like. :flowerforyou:

Listen lady, no one's telling you you can't have kids. Literally NO ONE has said that. Just that maybe you should think about the impact it has before you do so. No one is advocating forced abortion or sterilization, although after some responses in this thread I find myself leaning more towards that than I ever thought I would.

Also, yes. You do get to raise them however you want. That's how the mormons intend on taking over the world. So it's kinda looking like that right to choose may become one way in the near future.

OMG ... I LOVE YOU!!!!!! :laugh:

highervibes

To all of you that say it's nobody's business how many kids others have - are you kidding me? As soon as you don't get additional exemptions on your tax return and aren't eligible for the Earned Income Credit I would agree. Any kind of public fee or tax that depends on the number of dependents needs to be eliminated. THEN it's none of my business how many kids you have. When a family with 6 kids doesn't have to pay any income tax because of the deductions then they are not financially responsible for their own - I am subsidizing them with MY tax dollars!!!

They're trading tax breaks NOW for tax PAYERS later. Seems fair to me.

ldrosophila

To all of you that say it's nobody's business how many kids others have - are you kidding me? As soon as you don't get additional exemptions on your tax return and aren't eligible for the Earned Income Credit I would agree. Any kind of public fee or tax that depends on the number of dependents needs to be eliminated. THEN it's none of my business how many kids you have. When a family with 6 kids doesn't have to pay any income tax because of the deductions then they are not financially responsible for their own - I am subsidizing them with MY tax dollars!!!

Bitter much?

That's why I'm hoping my first baby is born in December....come on Little Taxy Mama is counting on you! But yeah it does suck when you are single and childless work your butt off all year and get scraps in a return and your friend who works part time with 3 kids gets a $6000 return.

Life aint fair then we die.

ldrosophila

To all of you that say it's nobody's business how many kids others have - are you kidding me? As soon as you don't get additional exemptions on your tax return and aren't eligible for the Earned Income Credit I would agree. Any kind of public fee or tax that depends on the number of dependents needs to be eliminated. THEN it's none of my business how many kids you have. When a family with 6 kids doesn't have to pay any income tax because of the deductions then they are not financially responsible for their own - I am subsidizing them with MY tax dollars!!!

They're trading tax breaks NOW for tax PAYERS later. Seems fair to me.

Good point unless that tax payer has 6 kids

navyrigger46

To all of you that say it's nobody's business how many kids others have - are you kidding me? As soon as you don't get additional exemptions on your tax return and aren't eligible for the Earned Income Credit I would agree. Any kind of public fee or tax that depends on the number of dependents needs to be eliminated. THEN it's none of my business how many kids you have. When a family with 6 kids doesn't have to pay any income tax because of the deductions then they are not financially responsible for their own - I am subsidizing them with MY tax dollars!!!

So blame Congress, I didn't write the laws, I just live by them. And any way, income tax is not the only tax we pay, so don't pretend that just because someone get's a refund they don't pay taxes.

Rigger

WendyTerry420

Oh, I didn't realize that other people got to decide what or WHO was unnecessary when it has nothing at all to do with them. Wait, they don't!

if that was true anyone could get married

Also this...not to start a new argument, but I have to wonder how many people who are all full of righteous indignation about this girl not "minding her own business" are anti-gay marriage? Opinions are like...well you know the rest of that old saying.

Too, it strikes me that a lot of people here are basically saying "people can have as many kids as they want...until they need assistance for some reason, then screw them!" doesn't that seem a little hypocritical? I know everyone thinks that poor people want to steal all their money, but the fact is the extremely rich benefit more from government assistance than the extremely poor. And how do you know how they got there? Maybe one person had a high-paying job in a factory that just closed, or got sick and had to quit their job. Should they give their kids away? It's funny how people are being so judgmental while criticizing the OP for her seeming judgment. As long as it's not you being judged, it's ok?

Not me! I am true-blue "Live and Let Live." Have sex with who you want, marry who you want, have as many - or as few - kids as you want, and eat, drink, or smoke what you want. Just offer me the same courtesy is all I ask. :smokin:

DoingitWell

It's funny. As an African American female with 4 children, cashiers seem to automatically assume that I am on food stamps. I've had them automatically push the EBT button on the register and even tell me that they found my EBT card that I dropped on a previous visit. At first I used to get mad, but then I realized it's my fault for going into the store with four children and not being on food stamps. Obviously I have no job and my children have no father.