How can people have children?

[helena]

I'm not tying to rant or express hate towards parents, I am genuinely interested in the reasons people justify having children. I cannot for the life of me understand how anyone can live with themselves if they have had a child, you're not having a baby, you're having a person, that has to be forced into education, a career, and ultimately a completely pointless and soul destroying system that cares about only one thing, people earning money.

I would say most people would want me as a kid, I got the best grade in my college, i'm a science student at one of the top 10 universities in the world, do athletics at a very high level, never in trouble, no boyfriends, drugs or alcohol, but I hate my life, the fact that someone could be so selfish to put me one this Earth infuriates me (I don't hate my mother, she is a fantastic women who I love immensely, just will never thank her for giving birth to me). Life is so hard and pointless, and the only thing I have to be happy about is the fact that I have it good compared to others, because I wasn't born in a war torn country, I wasn't married off at 12 ect, but how on Earth is that supposed to make me feel better, the fact that millions of people have terrible lives?

Im not some whiny immature child either, im extremely shy and introverted, Id never say this allowed, the internet is my only outlet. There is no God, there is no afterlife, this is everything we ever have, and it is terrible! I find it so hard to get on with life these days in the first world, why cant we see how stupid we are, there's probably more media attention given to mindless celebrity drivel and reality TV than there is to the fact that thousands of children will starve to death today.

Do people really force their offspring into this world because they arrogantly believe they could grow up to sort out these problems and make the world a better place, how do you know that the thousands of children that died today couldn't have sorted it out? Every mouth we produce adds to the worlds problems, eats up more resources, produces more pollution and drives attention away from the real atrocities of the world.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, I would really like to know the reasons people add to this terrible existence

[Katie]

They procreate because of the thought that they can make it better for their child. Thats not always the case but its for the purpose of having someone you can share your life with. I see your perspective and i say this because its true, but that is so selfish of you to talk that way. Do you have any idea of the type of beauty we have in the world. Whether its a good deed from a stranger or the flat plains that go across Africa. The reason why your life is so terrible is because you decided it is and you will stick to that decision. You said it yourself, you had a commoner's life but that does not mean that you can't change it or add memories to it. You just have to get out of your little comfort zone and step out into the world. Whether it is one day where you decide to just leave and take a roadtrip across the country. It doesn't matter, just create experiences for yourself because someone is not going to come along and baby you along to have a "fun" or "amazing" time with your life part of that "fun" comes from you originating it and doing something about it. Now right at this moment, I would suggest you go the fuck outside and go on a bike ride or a walk instead of sitting at your computer saying that life is "hard and pointless" when your not doing anything for yourself to make it more exciting. I have seen many of my friends go through hell and all they did was decide that that wasn't going to rule them and now they are either in bands or traveling around. And about pollution and the fact that children are dying in third world countries, its true but instead of complaining about it why dont you get up and be part of the fucking change that is happening to stop it.

[Chris]

it started out as salvation to make sure that everyones family bloodlines were in play, but then challenges came. people made things more difficult after the plague was over. you used to be able to work anywhere you wanted without school. school was originally there to teach you the basics for simple life. now adays there are higher expectations of not being worthy because people became rich. so it all spiraled out of control. new math, higher education, standards, and all that bs made the world a living hell because of money. that is there downflaw. schools became part of the system and it completely blocked the whole point in the meaning of life which is to decide on your own, your own path and to help, make, and support life as you go along the ride. with money and education standards, no-one can do the meaning of life without a stupid peice of paper that says you learned it all their way. it really is agravating. all this stuff is interference followed by depression and control. an

[Pretty]

People who are inlove and want to have a family

[Jessica]

As a science student, I'm sure you know the basics of why people procreate: sex is a natural human desire and instinct, and the human race (as does every other race on earth) has a natural desire to keep itself alive and healthy, which means procreation: creating generations to replace the ones before them. I believe sex is ingrained in people's brains, as is raising kids. It's a social norm: people are expected to pair themselves off with the opposite sex, have kids to replace their own lives when they die, and strive for the highest paying job all the while to support that family and the economy they live in. It's a social norm and most people grow up without even considering an alternative: it's just a natural instinct for most.

I do believe that you have a point on many levels: humans are not actually keeping our race alive and healthy, because we are overpopulated and at some point our race will be decimated greatly if we don't solve this problem. We are also compelled to procrastinate and solve our problems "later", which usually means never. This is another pro to a growing population and having children- you're providing yourself with another generation to solve all the problems in the world that you didn't get to yourself. Unfortunately, this has created an entirely lazy group of animals with only the occasional bright star that sees us for what we truly are, as well as the things about us that need to change. We are a race that is far from perfect and I fear that this procrastination may be a part of us that we can't change, in which case our eventual decimation is highly probable.

I am also alike you in that I do not desire to pair myself off with someone and have kids. I always dream of another way of running things besides having societies and rulers. I like writing and want to write novels, and I've been trying to imagine humans living another way other than how we already do, since the way we live life currently is not sustainable even if we made HUGE changes to it (which we likely won't- see my 'procrastination' rant above). Reading the book "The Story of Stuff" by Annie Leonard really helped me understand this fact on many levels. I also dream of doing something worthwhile to change the world, and I have this idea that the first step is discouraging people from this social norm of "get married, have children". However, it seems that everyone expects different of you. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten the comment "You're a pretty girl- why don't you have a boyfriend?" This comment drives me up the wall.

However, I do believe that there is a God, or rather, higher force up there that is controlling, or at least overseeing, everything. I am not very religious. History classes have taught me that religion can be corrupt and controlled to serve the church's interests. Spirituality, however, has nothing to with the church, or, indeed, anyone else on this earth other than you and what's up there. I implore you to look further into spirituality rather than religion, and to educate yourself on the difference between the tow, because it is there and it is HUGE. I also ask you to find the bright spots in life. You seem so focussed on the negative, when you fail to realize all the amazing things about humanity, all the great things we can do.

I believe if you are searching for a point to life and the meaning of it all, then you will never find it. Instead, try to think of what you can do for other. You've said it yourself: currently, humanity is a burden on the earth. However, you're thinking inside the box, within the confines of our own small society. Perhaps you should try traveling to another country or place outside of democracy and Western society. Try to think of other ways to do this whole "humanity" thing, and other ways to make your imprint on society, to serve others and make their lives easier. You could start by doing one great thing for another every single day, especially those who can never repay you. Maybe one day, you'll see the meaning of life after all.

[Iron Wolf]

Its a biological need for people to procreate and have children. Its what makes us human.