Do you want to have and raise children at some point in your life?

[warpus]

I'm not really ready to have kids yet - but there is a lot of pressure from society to have some and settle down at some point - so I'll probably eventually cave in and do it.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Yes, but how many animals would refuse to procreate? Of course, they don´t really have much choice with no contraceptions and all, but if you don´t have a desire to procreate, isn´t that kind of weird?

It's not weird at all. Many species have large numbers of organisms that don't procreate.

After all, there are more ways to ensure the spread of one's genes than having children. Especially with organisms as social as humans are.

 

[Munch]

I guess this proves that Darwin was wrong. How come there are humans that doesn´t want to spread their genes?

Yes, but how many animals would refuse to procreate?

Let's say there is some genetic trait for not wanting to procreate. By and large those animals possessing this trait would not produce offspring, so the trait would eventually become less and less prevalent in that species.

Or something along those lines.

On topic, yeah sure, just not in the next couple of years at least.

 

[GoodGame]

I'm older, so probably just one.

 

[Dragonlord]

That limit passed for me about 5 years ago. I now am content in life with my nephews and nieces. Yeah, MAYBE if I met a woman tomorrow, fell in love and got married within a few months, I might still consider it if it was important, but I'm 40 and time has its teeth in me. I have no desire to be a 65 year old geezer seeing his child graduate high school.

Same, except I'm already 47

At times does it not sadden you that there are no little VWRC's to carry on your name?

Nope - couldn't care less about my name, dto. for my genes.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Let's say there is some genetic trait for not wanting to procreate. By and large those animals possessing this trait would not produce offspring, so the trait would eventually become less and less prevalent in that species.

Unless, for example, that trait existed side-by-side with (or at least correlated with, as with malaria resistance and sickle-cell anemia) another trait like, for example, being really good at caring for one's nieces and nephews.

That is actually one of the explanations for how homosexuality, if it has genetic causes, could persist.

 

[Dragonlord]

Look at the statistics. In Europe and the US, people are not even producing enough children to sustain a constant population. Growth is from immigration. Meanwhile, the retirement schemes of all these countries are based on the idea of a growing population.

Demographers call it the future disaster that has already happened.

There aren't enough people to pay for the retirement of people like you and me. I've been told since 1980 that I am screwed. By the time I retire there will be barely two people working for every retired person. Even now it is just 3 workers per retiree. No wonder your taxes are so high. When Social Security was instituted there were 20 workers per retiree.

True enough - but you've already quoted the solution. There are more than enough people in less developed countries who are begging to immigrate. Just let in the ones with appropriate qualifications who are willing to work and pay Social Security... et voila!
The real problem is not: too few kids ... but: too few jobs!

 

[Mise]

Unless, for example, that trait existed side-by-side with (or at least correlated with, as with malaria resistance and sickle-cell anemia) another trait like, for example, being really good at caring for one's nieces and nephews.

C.f. ants; non-reproductive members of an ant colony help the survival of the rest of the colony most poignantly. Loosely speaking, the sole purpose of the non-reproductive ants is to bring food to the reproductive members -- whose sole purpose is to reproduce.

 

[Munch]

Unless, for example, that trait existed side-by-side with (or at least correlated with, as with malaria resistance and sickle-cell anemia) another trait like, for example, being really good at caring for one's nieces and nephews.

That is actually one of the explanations for how homosexuality, if it has genetic causes, could persist.

C.f. ants; non-reproductive members of an ant colony help the survival of the rest of the colony most poignantly. Loosely speaking, the sole purpose of the non-reproductive ants is to bring food to the reproductive members -- whose sole purpose is to reproduce.

Very good points.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Nope, I don't think I qualify for the job as parent. I'm way to soft on kids, so I'd be raising future wusses. And kids of a certain age irritate me.

 

[mrt144]

yes, absolutely.

I've changed my mind now. There was an experience I had last year that made me not want children.

 

[Flying Pig]

I haven't really lived a settled life for long enough to get married, and the sort of job I've done makes extra-work friends difficult and at some times dangerous, and so I never got married. I do have a nephew, who may as well be my son (I have looked after him for three years now), and at work I act as a mentor to quite a few kids.

 

[LucyDuke]

Yes, but how many animals would refuse to procreate? Of course, they don´t really have much choice with no contraceptions and all, but if you don´t have a desire to procreate, isn´t that kind of weird?

It's really, really common.

C.f. ants; non-reproductive members of an ant colony help the survival of the rest of the colony most poignantly. Loosely speaking, the sole purpose of the non-reproductive ants is to bring food to the reproductive members -- whose sole purpose is to reproduce.

Dude, what is it with you and ants?

 

[Flying Pig]

I don't really want to (although that's probably age more than anything else)

 

[dusters]

Of course I do. I'm working with children in school, I like taking care of someone. I will adopt a child when I find a partner worth living together for some decades and when I travel to lesbian marriage accepting country.

 

[J-man]

Maybe, not before I'm 30 anyways and no more then 2. to many humans on this planet anyway.

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

NO. The moment I have children is the moment I screw up my life plan permanently.

 

[Mise]

Dude, what is it with you and ants?

They're better than us.

 

[Abaddon]

I still can't possibly imagine NOT having children

 

[Flying Pig]

Do you have them?