Why More Americans Are Going Child Free | Asmongold Reacts

by ‪@CNBC‬ • Why More Americans Are...
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[@just_a_turtle_chad]

People who are perfectly capable of raising children don't but people who have no business raising kids do.

[@lolersauresrex8837]

It’s the strangest thing :/

[@club213542]

can you imagine how bad it could get i mean y aever see the movie idocracy?

[@OutstandingCitizen]

Government propaganda is so good

[@xecyc7951]

@@OutstandingCitizen whose government? Get your tin foil hat before answering.

[@3nim3nimabl3]

Because people see their kids as a paycheck

[@chaddubois8164]

Someday son, this cardboard box we live in will be yours.

[@AfroKing24]

Damn you own a box? I’m still renting mine. Landlord says he jacking the price up tho when the lease ends.

[@calilion1360]

@@AfroKing24time to spill the tea in the harbor ?

[@01NATHAN10]

@@AfroKing24 wow you own a box, i sleep under a umbrella with holes...

[@yamchayaku]

This quote. We have it bad now, just imagine how it's going to be for our kids. Do people really want to bring kids into this world just to have them suffer?

[@calilion1360]

@@yamchayaku maybe we should do something about it as a society and have a backbone against the people stealing and using our money incorrectly. America revolted for less than 1-3% tax against the british. But now we are all soyboys and with no backbone so i guess ur right we shouldnt have kids

[@simpaticode]

6:10 "The market just isn't right to have kids." this is literally the opening scene of Idiocrisy.

[@pandemonic66]

that movie is closer to a horror documentary than just another "comedy" movie.

[@kylesmith7539]

So true man ​@@pandemonic66

[@nightfr09]

Across my age group, I've noticed parallels but the difference is that everyone is deciding not to have kids not just smart people. It's no longer possible to be a single mom of three, people are deciding to stop at 1 or 2 just in case something bad happens to their husband.

[@boomknight1015]

@@pandemonic66 It predicted Crocs. The level of spying and how much control corporations have on your life is heading closer and closer every day.

[@CHUDTEXT]

It's true though. If you are a middle class working family, you are pretty much penalized for having children as childcare costs on top of everything else are sky-high. Lower income families are incentivized to have children through benefits.

[@wax_axiom479]

I love whenever politicians freak out about the birth rate. Im not bringing a kid into a world thats this dirty and corrupt just so they can end up working for someone else making their family rich while everyone else suffers

[@oogrooq]

And they're the ones who made everything so damn expensive.

[@nikolaosboukouvalas449]

It's not just a proplem for "the politicians" or "the market". It will soon going to be everyone's problem. If you want to get a decent pension for all those decades you've been working your butt off, guess what happens when this generation gets old and there are no new workers to replace them: no taxpayers to pay for your pension. So both us will be getting little to nothing AND the new generation will be overtaxed to pay for whatever scraps we will be getting.

[@user-kt6yx7ox7z]

This just put the things into perspective to me. We are their breeding working livestock.

[@bassbrother81]

But how will these rich people make 500flights a year and buy their 5th mansion without your children to profit off and enslave? So selfish 🤣

[@Bonserak23]

You have to replace yourself as a consumer.

[@mpg272727]

I can hardly afford to look after myself how tf am I meant to afford a kid

[@club213542]

no kids no future and i feel you if i told you they want you penniless and childless would ya believe it?

[@zoanth4]

Plenty of people in the ghetto have 5 kids and do just fine.

[@TchSktch]

on a cold and grey chicago morning a poor little baby child is born in the ghettooooo @@zoanth4

[@lolersauresrex8837]

@@zoanth4well they don’t do *fine* but they aren’t thriving in the way that these commenters (consoomers) would consider “bare minimum”

[@ivanr9408]

You become a man and figure out ways to make more money. I make 6 figures at work but I also worked up to that position and when I come home I'm investing in stocks and crypto. I've made more in stocks and crypto than I did in the last two years working 50hrs a week

[@Sigma6987]

Remember: If politicians really cared about you then they would actually be doing things that enable people to raise healthy families.

[@CTomCooper]

Yea, it’s what they never do. Like cutting down their own pay from the taxes they collect. Or not committing insider trading like they did during 2020 alongside their corporate donors. Scratch that, if they cared then they wouldn’t be politicians.

[@Matt-sk6hi]

Yah not Like Biden passed the child tax credit.

[@firstlast8258]

You get what you vote for

[@firstlast8258]

​@CTomCooper never say Never 🤓🖕

[@firstlast8258]

​@@Matt-sk6hipass gas ⛽️

[@tufanakarirmak7279]

Also, even though average cost of a child is calculated 310k in this video, couples like this don't want to raise the child "average". Since they both are educated and have decent income they will want their child to wear higher quality clothes, eat healthier food, go to better schools etc. which will pull that 310k number way higher.

[@rainfang1992]

This. Some people are shocked that six figures income isn't enough for kids. It's absolutely true. Where I live, average home price is 600k. If you want a home in a good school district, that's $ 1M +. As someone who went to one of the best public schools in the nation, top 10 CS university in the nation, I'm not going to have mediocre kids. That means the cost for me to have kids, home ownership, good schools, and daycare so I don't get fired is going to be a household annual income of 400k. And no. I can't move, because my other option is San Francisco

[@visheshl]

​@@rainfang1992exactly this.

[@WorldWalker128]

I like kids and they normally seem to adore me, but I have no desire to be a parent. There are several reasons, but the core one is that the idea of someone being COMPLETELY reliant on me for their...well, *everything* , scares me. I am barely able to take care of myself (not for financial reasons, just in general). I've got no business trying to raise a kid.

[@MagicMonkey96]

Raising a kid sounds really stressful. I’d never have a kid but I’ll be their favorite uncle

[@Kefroth1]

"It's expensive to be poor." Fantastic quote.

[@Twbrooks509]

Couldn't agree more

[@ethanchen4504]

I need to add that kids are an investment on top of being your kids. My parents work in health care, and the most miserable people are always those with no kids around them, because they drove them off or are distant, or have none to begin with. Pay now to avoid paying later.

[@Kefroth1]

@ethanchen4504 You don't need to add that. You are making a lot of assumptions about the source of other people's problems. Equating broken families to people who never had children is a logical fallacy.

[@flaminghead1va]

Who says that? Timestamp?

[@ethanchen4504]

@@Kefroth1 Sorry I should've added more context. This is the lesson my mom has taken from taking care of dying patients for roughly 20 years on the job. Her best friend visits hospice and such places and has been for at least 10 years. From them, their best advice is to HAVE kids no matter what. Take from that what you will because she said the amount of misery she's seen otherwise is too much. These patients visit the hospital weekly, and for many years until they don't(which is to say they die), so everyone knows each other and their families very well.

[@geewhizinfo]

Side effect of corporations milking society and the government not protecting the consumer.

[@davidvalentin4128]

You mean the gov joining the corporations in the milking. How is it ok that income is being taxed? Effectively slave masters in unison.

[@JMPERager]

Side effect of government giving corporations too much freedom to fuck people over.

[@AnarchySCLT]

Are you saying the governmenty should do something? Im pretty sure it was people listening to the government that got us in this mess. Pop. shortage coming soon.

[@biteofdog]

Corporations also own politicians so that they can legislate for tax breaks, getting things deregulated, and cutting workers rights.

[@DP-fq7iy]

As if they wouldn't just make it worse.

[@Nini-rs3fs]

I have a 17days old baby, it's the hardest thing I've ever done. Pregnancy, giving birth (the pain is unimaginable until you go through it), the recovery, hormonal changes making you super sad for nothing, breastfeeding (it hurts), caring for a baby 24/7. Nobody should go through this without being super excited about it. I couldn't wait for a baby and still regularly break down and cry. It's not selfish, it's smart to know all the pain and sleepless nights won't be worth it to you and you will probably be a depressed or resentful angry parent.

[@shupichii9647]

Next time, take the dilot'd shot. lol. My GF was on the fence and I just gave her the most serious and stern face I could, "Take the shot." Less than 3 hours later, 4 hands were inside of her stomach pulling my daughter out. I will never forget seeing that, turning to my gf and going, "You good babe?" (Hands feeling around INSIDE her flesh) "Yeah." 'ok.' xD The first year is pure survival. If you made it to nightfall- well done mama. It gets better in years 2-3. :D

[@benjirabbe1205]

You created life.

[@praesidi]

@@benjirabbe1205 who cares lol

[@grekerbeer948]

@@praesidiif we dont we will die out as a species

[@jaughnekow]

​@@grekerbeer948we have to give people a reason to start families

[@Strategistmaster]

Not having kids is selfish to who exactly? And I'm speaking as someone who has three myself.

[@Anon1370]

not having kids is selfish to the government and not keeping the slave wage system going lol everyone just wants you to suffer like they do....that is the system. the rich find it extremely selfish....they won't have the future workers they need. Depriving them of cogs for the system luckly you have three...so they won't be too mad at you.

[@Subsistence69]

Thank you. I dont understand this mindset whatsoever. Its selfish because they had an accident and I take precautions to not put myself in that situation? Its mind boggling

[@GigaNietzsche]

@@Subsistence69It's selfish because children are the future of a country. By actively abstaining from having children you are not contributing to the future of the country. Whether you agree or disagree with this statement that is the logic at play

[@nemssi3302]

@@GigaNietzscheso selfish not wanting to push out a baby or more because it’s unaffordable

[@GigaNietzsche]

@@nemssi3302 There's a lot of people out there in which it is perfectly affordable they just don't want to have them.

[@kylenmaple4668]

I’m a SINK, and I’m slowly sinking into despair

[@stereo-soulsoundsystem5070]

mine is rapid pace

[@Red_Heresy]

im a SINK cuz I clean my hands of the bs

[@bankenichi]

We are on the same boat, sinking right to the bottom hahaha

[@jaughnekow]

😂😂😂

[@benji89917]

I'm coming too, wait up Edit: dont let this smile fool you 😂

[@NatureRosa]

EVERY SINGLE CHILD deserves parents who *WANT* them so ya if you don't want kids for any reason, please don't have them.

[@burdman5620]

we wont thank you

[@largekoi]

No plans too, thank you

[@dieengie337]

I would want kids, but I dont want to scrape by paycheck to paycheck, not living and barely surviving. I'd rather not make another human being suffer like this

[@Ganjacologist]

There are many things in life you may have no idea you ever wanted until you find yourself with it.

[@harveydent1731]

@@Ganjacologistso I should try drugs ?

[@PhotonBread]

Since when was not having a kid selfish? Who is it hurting to not have a kid? To say it’s selfish to not subject yourself to an extremely stressful lifestyle with a massive financial burden is CRAZY

[@bladethevamp]

I honestly think it’s more selfish to have kids at the moment. The price of everything keeps going up but the wages don’t, owning a home will only be a dream for lots of people, global warming is only getting worse and not much is/can be done about it and everyone seems to want to start a war now. I don’t think the future looks good and It’s not an environment I want to raise a child in

[@nikolaosboukouvalas449]

I don't know what country you live in, but many countries have declining birth rates. That means that their total population numbers are dropping. It also means that in the immediate future, there are going to be way too many pensioners and not nearly enough tax payers to pay for all these pensions. So the active workforce will be overtaxed and the pensioners will not be getting the pensions they've been working for all these years. It also means that the country in question will have a much smaller work force. In general, it's not good news for any country's citizens to have a declining birth rate. I understand that the economic situation is not good and many people simply cannot afford to have kinds, but using terms like "child free" and turning not having children into an "empowering ideology" is not only selfish, it's downright corroding the foundations of society: a country cannot keep existing without new births.

[@PhotonBread]

@@nikolaosboukouvalas449 I mean, imagine a world where we are forced by law to have children. Gotta strike a balance. People who don’t want kids shouldn’t be shamed into not having one. Personally, I’d rather focus on myself and build wealth that worry about finding a mate, which has become increasingly difficult btw. It’s so easy for a woman to just up and leave and take your house, your money and your kid with them. I’ll stick to being childless and single for now. Call that selfish all you want but I’m looking out for myself. I don’t owe it to society to struggle financially so the country can flourish in the future

[@nikolaosboukouvalas449]

@@PhotonBread I never said that we should force people to have children. I agree that is a terrible idea. And like I said I can understand and respect your choice. But generally speaking it IS undeniable that for a human society to fanction and continue to survive there needs to be new blood coming in. But to accomplish that we cannot "force" people through legal threats or societal pressure. We need laws and cultural changes that will make both men and women less afraid of getting married (not losing half your stuff in divorce, not being afraid of being abused) and financial reforms that will make starting families and having children financially viable. BUT cultural movements like the "child-free" people (not people like you, but rather people who call children "crotch-goblins" and promote not having children as a form of noble revolution) or incels of both genders that rouse hatred and suspicion between men and women do NOT help.

[@KookoCraft]

@@bladethevampuh oh, we got an anti natalist

[@yudonna]

Also, it takes a whole village to raise a child. I am a childless middle aged woman and had to take care of other people's children because they can't. A lot of people will find themselves in that position, rather it be through relatives, friends or in my case, neighbors. The people who breeds sometimes don't have enough IQ to understand boundaries and the child is innocent.

[@nortolondo5495]

I am so far into "no child" that I even never started a relationship

[@josepartida1711]

i turned 40 a few months ago (no kids) and have only been in 1 serious relationship they're overrated

[@shuaibmahammed5807]

​@@josepartida1711u can't be happy 40 years being all alone, thats just sad

[@josepartida1711]

@@shuaibmahammed5807 I said I had one serious relationship 😆 Couple years long, I’m better off not getting into one again I focus on my career

[@dazeen9591]

​@@shuaibmahammed5807in such cases most often it's impossible for them to be happy regardless even if they're not lonely

[@M.Swigglez]

@@shuaibmahammed5807yes they can get a dog and be happy

[@nohoemode155]

I'm a father of a 6 months old boy. It was all planned and we wanted it. We prepared everything and accepted the fact that we will be shorter on money and time. But man it's so not easy to handle. Our boy isn't even problematic (he sleeps bad though) but it's an everyday drill and sometimes I feel like we shouldn't do it (especially when Im at work). But then I come back home and see him smiling and making progress and I know it was the best decision of my life.

[@neal_rigga90]

Hell yeah man, I feel that. Kids are awesome my son is 8YO and now we game together. Raid the bastions on Minecraft, play apex together. My 3 YO. "Sells food" to me. It's an amazing feeling. Makes me completely forget the struggles every time I see those smiles.

[@brednbudr2406]

I also have a 6 month old. Seems so easy though. Like amazingly easy and has been so cheap too.

[@benjaminhartman4488]

@@brednbudr2406dude I pay a mortgage every month in daycare, not “easy”. Then constant doctors visits when they are sick. Wrecked house. Have a 4 and 2 year old, so it’s a bit different. Brace yourself

[@DaWanderer]

In some ways it gets easier. But in other ways it gets harder. Overall it's super worth it.

[@JayBigDadyCy]

It can be tough. I have a married couple who are good friends who couldn't have a kid without help. Took 2 rounds of In vitro to finally have a kid and he was an absolute nightmare of a baby. Barely slept. Cried constantly despite being perfectly healthy and tbh they were miserable for the first 4 years and it probably almost cost them their marriage. It doesn't always go well. Kids aren't for everyone and you don't know what you're going to get. Some people just need to get a cat or a dog instead of having kids lol. But I have the utmost respect for good parents. It's not easy to raise kids right.

[@Jimmyisabot]

"im a beekeeper..." Asmon: "what the f" lmao

[@PartyMarty321]

I said the same thing! Bees are super important though so it’s pretty cool.

[@pepponi]

Having a child is an optional grandmaster tier real life quest. The xp reward you get is based on how good a job you do raising the child. As stated, start saving as early as you can. I save for myself, but the very day my kids got their social security numbers I opened bank accounts for them and began investing monthly in low-cost global ETFs. I don't give a sht about my life in the future - I live a simple life. However, my kids should have the possibility to make choices in the future. I want to finish the grandmaster quest with a reward higher than my parents got from theirs - that's MY goal. People can choose not to have kids if they want. As I said, it's an optional quest.

[@Dailyfiver]

I don’t want kids but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the hustle. You’re gonna be a good Dad. 👍

[@DarrenDurham]

The crux of this entire movement isn't that they don't want children, it's that the socio-economic climate of the western world has made the prospect of having children, owning a home, having a pension, affording retirement has become an impossibility. Homes cost nearly 10x what they did in my area than what my parents bought for. Groceries cost me at least twice what it did 5 years ago let alone 30 years ago and the list goes on. All while the median wage in 1985 was $55,000 and in 2023 it was $57,000 (both in today's dollars) - nearly 40 years of wage stagnation and the death of the single income family is the cause.

[@andrew5689]

It's difficult and may be near impossible for some, and impossible for some. but it is not impossible for all working class people. My wife and I are blue collar, im a truck driver and she's a nurse. You can't get more working class than that. We have average salaries. We turned 30 a few months ago and bought our first home middle of last year. The money wasnt the deciding factor with us having our first kid, it was the schedule. My wife being a nurse is fortunate to be able to work on weekends only. If she didnt have that schedule, we couldnt have a kid due to daycare costs. With me working mon-thurs and her working fri-sun, one of us is always home with the kid. We have no true days off but it's worth it for us every day.

[@DarrenDurham]

@andrew5689 right and you're still dual income to afford it where as 30 years ago that income as a truck driver afforded someone like my dad (who was a truck driver) to support a family of 4 on single income. Which would allow one parent to always be home, generally the mother. That is the part that makes it near impossible for most working class.

[@andrew5689]

@@DarrenDurham i completely agree. Im not saying shit isn't hard. Its very hard. But i see this thread of, "the sky is falling, the world is about to end, nothing matters at all" and i just disagree. I understand the sentiment. It's nuanced. People get in very difficult lifestyles and its hard to pull yourself out of it but there still needs to be self motivation to pull yourself out of it otherwise everyone will stay where they are. Once everyone stays where they are, that's when the world come crumbling down. Once we say "shit is so fucked, why try harder than i need to?" That's when it's all over...i feel.

[@captainvanisher988]

That's utterly untrue. It's a very common excuse of people "oh I don't have children because of the economy". Really? Then why did birth rates first fall under replacement level in the 70s and 80s? During the decades with the highest economic booms? Those trends have continued until today. Nothing changed. Economics not only do not explain people not having children. But in fact it correlates directly with lower birth rates. The richer a country becomes, the lower the birth rates. Now the question is: Does wealth do this or do people's values change due to the wealth? Well it's pretty clear. The only country that doesn't experience this even on a secular population is Israel. The only country with strong family and national values. When people become materialistic, no amount of wealth and money will make them have children. That's the reality of the situation. Another big reason is feminism. It is one of the key contributors of women's movement away from children. The sexual liberation and women's emancipation are what destroyed the role of the mother and the wife.

[@lukebytes5366]

​@@andrew5689if that's what was going on, no one would be talking about these issues in the first place.

[@roykent451]

As the oldest of 12 kids, I never had kids. People ask why, and I tell them, "I already raised my kids", and it's the truth

[@thiagobarbieri7476]

Damn, that must have been crazy. You should probably have some great stories to tell

[@olmstranger]

Haha, I've got 5 younger siblings and I've been saying the same thing.

[@milchteexoxo3515]

Exactly this. I'm already a mother to my brother and sister. Why should I want to add to that responsibility? Can barely afford food as it is.

[@epothos1]

Oldest of three and I couldn’t imagine 8 more to help with

[@DepressionOfMyCat]

12 kids?! holy shit and here I am, not having siblings, nephews or cousins xD (most of my family is dead) that musst have been wild.

[@chelacooley]

Being a parent is a blessing it is not a burden, supporting a child’s life is fulfilling and a beautiful experience. It’s all about priorities in your life

[@annah5507]

It is a blessing to you personally, not everyone has those values. Kids are objectively a financial burden.

[@tonig2757]

If that was true, women would line up to get "blessed".

[@MochaBiscuitCafe]

Combined me and my wife makes 84k after taxes. However, we live in LA due to our jobs. Shits expensive. We cannot afford childcare. We cannot afford daycare or a fulltime nanny for the childs early years. Our parents are there sure, but only in my mother is, and even then she still has a responsibility to her job and to my sister. With the prices of baby things inside stores are going up, we could literally break bank.

[@MrCatFromOuterSpace]

84k two full time working adults in LA? No way you can afford even 1/3 of a kid.

[@MochaBiscuitCafe]

@@MrCatFromOuterSpace and we don't want a kid. At least not yet, not until its affordable or we get priced out and move outta state.

[@MrCatFromOuterSpace]

@@MochaBiscuitCafe Also, I want to mention, I wasn't trying to mock you or something. I was just shocked on change of perspective when a household with 100k pretax (approx) is struggling not just able to afford kids, but can be even priced out of state.

[@mr.doctorcaptain1124]

I don’t get it, why would you live in LA with that trash pay? Move to Phoenix, the job market is great here and 84k is nothing; I worked for Costco before I made a step up and made 70k there alone…. The job market cannot keep you in LA because you can make that same money literally everywhere else in the country so why screw yourself in an unlivable economy for your income bracket?

[@Eric-ej3oy]

You should be an antinatalist. Lol

[@Jason-ji8ql]

If we go with the argument "some people shouldn't have children," then I don't think we should be surprised when people have the forethought to consider "maybe its not for me."

[@alexandruszilaghi8734]

Thats a gd point

[@TurtleMountain]

i think there has been a rather steep decrease in the quality of parenting. we know more than we ever did before about psychology and parenting and yet those skills are not being put to use, instead children are raised by the internet. delayed gratification is the key to success but now there are entire generations that won't understand that, because the only thing they are learning is instant gratification from scrolling tiktok/shorts all day by people who are specifically exploiting their demographic for money.

[@brandonprince4366]

Both parents have to work now who raises them anyway, both parents, are stretched thin in the skills and lessons they impart schools and corporations have taken th role and they won't have mine

[@Merilirem]

@@brandonprince4366 Raising a child is often too much for parents alone. You need a support structure of relatives and friends to pick up the slack and let the parents rest. It takes so much to do it right that its understandable people don't.

[@power50001562]

Eugenics been making a comeback for a while

[@henrywebb3009]

Living costs right now are actually just ridiculous. So many people under 35 are struggling even with rent let alone dreaming of affording a home some day. I'm not surprised at all less people are thinking about children.

[@chops5084]

I got a 2 year degree in something USEFUL. Got a job, have a stay at home wife with 2 kids and a car. Im living comfortably in s trailer just saving money.

[@nuggyfresh6430]

Parents in this thread are not understanding and think they can just run in here and say how cheap kids are, ignoring thats not the reality for most

[@nophone9311]

@@chops5084A trailer for a wife and 2 kids. Wow you are just what every wife and child dreams of in a father.

[@cyanl.2245]

@@chops5084 DO you stack your children in your trailer or do they eaczh have their own bed?

[@leekyonion]

​​@chops5084 gEt a DeGrEe iN sUMtHiNg uzseFuL. Probably the most hilariously, short sighted thing a 2 year degree got you - a small ass trailer and a low ceiling income

[@aerofight5994]

Let’s get this straight, rich people aren’t having kids because they’re lazy bastards. Poor people struggle and on top of that raise the next generation

[@wildgrem]

Hoarding wealth by some 800 people in the US has a BIG hand in this. Tax cuts for middle and lower classes are massively needed right now more than ever. 1/3 of my paycheck is fucking GONE to taxes. That would absolutely help go to childcare.

[@lionheart-182]

for me its not just about the financial problem, it's more about realizing the huge challenge that represents to raise a child nowadays, my respect goes to all parents who manage to raise a "normal" kid in these crazy times

[@nathan113]

The world isn't that crazy, it only feels messed up if you spend too much time on the internet

[@anFy81]

crazy times? my mother was born in 1944 in central Europe..

[@ahmadashraf9448]

@@anFy81 then, kudos to all parents that raises 'normal' kids regardless of era.

[@oongieboongie]

@@nathan113 That is basically going to be pretty much 99% of gen alpha, and addicted to TikTok which will make ADHD and other things skyrocket even more so

[@Iron59_]

@@nathan113 feels like you're not reading news and doesn't know global warming :>

[@ConstantineBrightt]

Fun fact, the neighbors in Fairly Odd Parents were named the "Dinklebergs" due to them having no kids and having duel incomes.

[@mrsn3sbit888]

Alec bergggg. Reminds me of the seinfeld ep

[@kcototheyoyoyo]

That is a cool fact I will remember for the rest of my life. Thank you😊

[@chavito808]

DINKLEBERG!

[@subree_keller]

Wasn't that Doug too?

[@ConstantineBrightt]

@@chavito808 Hey, Turner!

[@crublah]

china: we introduce the one-child-policy usa: hold my debt

[@greyowl3787]

I dont think it’s primarily about the money. People have had kids under _any_ financial conditions, from obscenely rich to dreadfully poor, for the longest time. Nowadays it’s more like people don’t want to spend their _time_ on kids and make all the sacrifices needed. Another factor is the crazy explosion of divorces that started in the 90’s. These days a lot of adults come from a broken family which, although they typically won’t admit it, is a traumatic experience. And they wouldn’t want to risk their own kids going through the same thing, so they don’t have any. The concept of a nuclear, traditional family has lost a lot of its appeal. But unlike many, I think it’s a good thing : having a family is now a choice, only people truly motivated by parenthood will have kids. That means quality over quantity. And I’m not worried about economic collapse, individual productivity will keep increasing with automation and AI. And even if the world GDP were to reduce it would only threaten the wealth of the super-rich.

[@KookoCraft]

Poors will make babies even when they can’t afford it, and then we pay for it

[@bensheard3969]

Your ignoring the fact that when gdp drops our system is built to bail out wealthy business owners and leverage all of that on inflation and the dollar. There are plenty of people who want to or should have children but if the system persists this way it's only going to get harder for the average family. The current system is designed to pull the strings and artificially make people feel like children are unaffordable or actively make them work harder and have a dual income to afford the "luxury"

[@eliasjr1049]

One things is, before when people faced hardship they still had a positive outlook to the future and also kids could help you living on a farm. These days the opportunity of making a career in a company is gone too, people wouldn`t be so worrier about money NOW if they saw a path of working hard and getting better pay into the future.

[@PartyMarty321]

You can be optimistic about people now having a choice in having kids but it doesn’t take away the fact that people who have no business having kids just pop them out, I just hope the kids that come from parents who make bad decisions learn and do better.

[@lifewater]

I waited until my late 30's to have a kid, and its way more expensive then i thought. The diaper, food, toys etc, were all managable, but once daycare started, holllly shit. I had no idea daycare was so expensive. Currently paying 1400 for that, which is within a stones throw of my mortgage cost. fucking insanity

[@StuartBilo-sj6md]

In ancient times, there was this concept of an extended family or something that felt morally obligated to help each other out. Seems archaic to me..

[@lifewater]

@@StuartBilo-sj6md i took care of my parents, grandparents, and my inlaws until they passed, so i guess i fall into this category. One of the many reasons i ended up having children late (wasnt financially ready).

[@CatalinaFOIA]

Yes, affordable excellent childcare is nearly unattainable for many.

[@lifewater]

@@CatalinaFOIAand the crazy thing is that the less costly places were only about $50 less and were not somewhere I wanted to leave my child. So it was 1350-1400 or nothing

[@oriongear2499]

The daycare costs are why if I ever get married & start a family and my new wife has a child, I would want to be a Stay-At-Home Father.

[@zachmartin3347]

The insane rise of education costs vs benefits and the insane inflation cost of owning a house has shifted our culture to respond in this way.

[@justinbellpa]

It's way more than that

[@dillon8992]

The free handouts and forgiveness just perpetuates the problem. The fix is barring the insane interest rates and tuition the colleges charge. Look how much money Harvard has in endowments, colleges now are glorified hedgefunds.

Yes it’s a problem in California because most people vote for democracy instead of republican. The first step act was heading in the right direction with trump.

[@CubeParrot1]

Dont forget how dating has changed because of social media. Big factor.

[@Anonymous-ri4mk]

inflation and education i cant say enough how much these impact people especially new couples price are increasing way too quick it is hard to see having a child would be fine

[@erkfx4154]

DINKWAD (With A Dog) here. My wife just doesn’t want kids and I said “sick, I didn’t know that was an option! More time for us to game and getting to do things spontaneously and not having to constantly be busy running kids around to events!” I spend my free time educating myself so I can advance in my career to make a better income so we can save up, get a house, and possibly retire sooner.

[@KookoCraft]

That’s so lame dude

[@demxnc]

“That’s so lame” and yet this dude is living the fucking dream and doing what he wants while already thinking about retirement. Absolutely pathetic response

[@loftin92]

​@@demxnc he's right, lame mentality. Will regret it later when he's retiring with no family

[@KookoCraft]

@@demxnc im retired with kids

[@KookoCraft]

@@loftin92 Yes, I lost my way until I found the love of my life.

[@SmithyD86]

I think a lot of people hope that having kids will bring you happiness later in life. I'm a parent and I've never actually thought that way... How fucking crazy selfish is it to think that your children have to look after you and give you grandchildren to makes you happy. Just nuts to me honestly...

[@oholysoldier9673]

Reason is simple. Too expensive and who wants to raise a kid in a terrible society?

[@andrew5689]

When was society not terrible enough to justify having kids? People have been having kids in "terrible" times all throughout human history. I'd much prefer having kids now rather than a thousand years ago. Now my kid has a much higher chance of survival and they dont have to work on a farm by age 5.

[@ZachCarr1991]

​@andrew5689 you also don't have to have 12 of them, because 9 would die.

[@andrew5689]

@@ZachCarr1991 having kids was like playing the lottery. The more you have, the higher likelihood some of them live lol

[@ZachCarr1991]

@@andrew5689 thank God for modern medicine. Lol

[@KookoCraft]

@@ZachCarr1991modernity, cringe

[@VonTried]

The thing about saying "Everyone should have a kid" is really messed up because a lot of people SHOULDN'T have kids but have them anyways, our drug addicts on the street who had parents who didn't want them. So yes if people don't want to have kids they shouldn't, they could always change their mind better and be a great parent for actually wanting the child

[@jonathanstone4878]

Who's advocating for "Everyone should have a kid."? FYI, even if everyone had 1 kid, population will still go down by 50%.

[@LordRykard9376]

Cop-out

[@VonTried]

@@LordRykard9376alr bro, if that's what you say. There have been so many people who have come into this world with not great homes because it was an "accident" I don't care who you are people should only have kids if they; 1. Want Children, 2. Can raise children cause if you don't got either of those you have an abused child or an orphan

[@klaraptor]

I also think the kid needs to have parents that WANT that kid. No child should be truly unwanted. I know myself, and I know that if I had a kid I would resent it for changing my life drastically. I would no longer have time for hobbies and things that bring me joy (art, reading, exploring nature), and I would ultimately hate the kid for taking all that away from me. And that would be very unfair to that kid to be born to a parent who thinks that way. That kid deserves to have parents that love them and WANT them, and I would not be able to give that.

[@BlacKi-nd4uy]

thats completely bullshit. if you dont have kids, humanity will wipe out. only human cultures with a healthy 2-2,3 child policy will survive. and thats probably the bad cultures, like with no human right movements like 200-300 years ago.

[@senjoronie3971]

"The math of it all" is what nailed it shut for me. First start with the federal student loans - payments _must_ be made on these _or else_, the penalties and consequences of default on these is very, very severe. Childcare costs are prohibitively high. Daycare costing as much as a college education, the actual college education, all off it. The "math of it all", the expenses those numbers represent are bewilderingly high, they are beyond my comprehension. Being or becoming a parent has never interested me... but I can't even fathom doing it and making it work even if did! And if a lot of people feel as I do... how can anybody blame us? Remember the classic line they used to give us, "Money doesn't grow on trees LOL!" Believe us, we know!

[@davidt1621]

People who don't want to have a kid for rational financial reasons would probably make better parents than people who do have kids for irrational emotional reasons.

[@Nathan-yv2rg]

Bringing someone into this existence that you can't provide for financially is probably the most selfish thing you could do.

[@igorthelight]

100% agree!

[@GengoSenmon]

And even though I will 100% take care of my parents, it should not be an obligation to do so. A child had no say in their parents' decision for them to be born. In the video they mention how (in the US) medical bankruptcy is common occurrence and elderly parents increase this financial burden on people who potentially wanted to save that money to responsibly raise their own children.

[@METALLOVER364]

you wouldn't be here if one of your ancestors didn't take that risk

[@tuut5154]

@@METALLOVER364 and if one of their ancestors didn't take that risk, they wouldn't even know of it lmao

[@Erowens98]

Disagree. Plenty of poor children still live happy and fulfilling lives. And especially in societies with free education (most of Europe for example) have very good odds of becoming financially stable as adults. Whats selfish is contributing to the population shrinkage crisis on our doorstep that will cause the greatest economic disaster in history.

[@spitwicked6188]

If you want children, have children. If you don't want children, don't have children. But whatever you do....don't accidentally have children. Be responsible!

[@axlenuts5418]

I can't wait to see the interviews with these people when they're 75

[@ILovePie53]

@@axlenuts5418 loneliness is real

[@Link-Bling]

@@axlenuts5418 and one of them is dead and the other is FULLY ALONE

[@Evija3000]

@@Link-Bling Yeah, that's what I wonder about. Having another person and some pets might feel like a family, but when that person is gone that would change drastically. I mean it would either way but with no kids it must be worse. I hope they have siblings or very close friends and are close with their families.

[@acegikm]

Wanting them isn't enough. The child's needs should be the top priority, not how bad someone wants one. A lot of people aren't willing to educate themselves on childrearing or be disciplined enough to do it right.

[@propertyvideos5598]

Family of 6 in the south on $60k. Live pretty comfortable, have retirements, take vacations, kids go to private school but I paid my house off. The house isn’t nice and too small but no mortgage at 40.

[@haysdixon6227]

I’m pretty impressed by your level of lifestyle for the circumstances. Does one partner stay at home? Not that your income is small, but I’m a college student from Georgia who didn’t expect to have a shot at things like you have for a good while (even though my girlfriend and I are majoring in engineering and biochemistry)

[@FATMAN162x]

@@haysdixon6227 It's probably a cope post, what he said isn't even possible unless you're born into money and land. People would rather tell stories online to strangers instead of actually going out in the world and trying.

[@codykillian7555]

​@@FATMAN162xIt's very much possible in small towns to live like that on that small of a wage. Surrounding towns where I live are population of around couple thousand and 5 years ago you could buy a 1600sq ft house for 80k. He mentioned the south so probably very small town with lots of land available. Good chance it's accurate.

[@FATMAN162x]

@@codykillian7555 You’re not thinking, financially that’s impossible. Unless he lives by himself, but even in that case you’re not taking any vacations. It’s just stories, I make more than that in a “small” town and it is very much out of reach for me. People just tell stories to make themselves feel better, it only makes the ultimate issue worse. Cuz it gives young people false hope.

[@DanMcCheese]

@codykillian7555 “Five years ago” Yeah and what are they now? 200-300k right?

[@commonsense9076]

They pay more a month than child care, food and transportation just on the car note and insurance. Not even counting the student loan’s these people tend to have.

[@Denominus]

Yeah, the cost of raising children has absolutely skyrocketed. I have 3 kids, I'm in my late 30s. Before we had kids, we had about year of income stashed away, investments and no debt. We were very well off and secure with no financial stress. Not only did we have to use most of that up, now we break even most months. Groceries, extra fuel, after school activities bills, school fees, child care, health insurance, utilities bills and on and on and on. Whatever your highest estimate of what it costs, double or triple that.

[@Zexx4]

And yet there are other ppl in these comments arguing "children aren't that expensive" and I would like to know where they live, in my area the cheapest daycare is $1200 and I wouldn't leave my goldfish with that place, let a lone a human being! That place has had sooooo many cops show up I have no idea how they are still in service

[@ee2610]

​@@Zexx4hey silly Billy, maybe instead of farming out the care of your child to some basketball American for $1200 a month you could have your wife stay home and look after them

[@felixfungle-bung4688]

Wait until the cost of age demographic in balance. When America has no replacement generations. What makes my GEN so stupid is by the time we retire there won't be a generations large enough to maintain tax revenues.

[@Denominus]

@@ee2610 If your family can afford that, great. The problem is, the child care costs are less than the loss of a second income, and most households can't afford that loss of income. Cost of living and other child related costs have only been going in one direction, up.

[@Borsecann]

@@Zexx4 I want to say that they are people who are so tired and poor from having kids that they don't even realize it anymore and the pendulum went over the border and back again on the other side so now they are happy. Most of them think that others just aren't trying enough or that their solution and life applies to everyone. They think everyone has the same opportunities in life, everyone has the same willpower, everyone has the same desires, etc. And to note, I know that having children can bring great joy (I have nieces and nephews and love them to bits), but it does not mean that everyone feels the same way, and they don't get this. It's like religious people who can't fathom someone else not needing to believe in something in order to have meaning and live.

[@NotaCatGirll]

People in my age group (late 20s) are stuck in a cycle of being unable to afford a house of their own, let alone a child, they have no relationship or social skills...Its like being stuck as a child forever.

[@SaneMillennial]

Yes, I'd say the tech age did that to them. Everyone grew up being on the internet from a young age and having phones/ipads in their hands, so it's not healthy. I was the last bit of semi-healthy childhood as a millennial that didn't start using the internet until I was 12. Any sooner and it would've warped me more. I know it still changed any kid under 18 growing up and getting used to this new way to communicate and do things, all on a device. I'm very worried about our collective future now. We need laws everywhere making it so kids under 16 shouldn't be on any social media, it should be for adults only as it makes people depressed, even adults too, and it fucks up kids even worse, and then their internet usage should be limited to only researching things and maybe a couple of video games but only played less than 5 hours per week. And we all have to get politically active and fix our damn govt. Shrink it, cut the welfare and military spending, and create a more productive workforce again, brining jobs back to the US and deeply penalizing companies who outsource their labor overseas.

[@mitch7110]

@@SaneMillennial more laws and less government at the same time... what

[@TurtleMountain]

im 25 and even if i could afford my own house, I can confidently say that i would still not intentionally have kids. having kids and thinking you can raise them better than your parents did you is the most arrogant mistake you will ever make in your life. once you make that mistake you're not allowed to regret it either, you have no choice and end up gaslighting urself into thinking its what you wanted all along as a coping mechanism.

[@Peglegkickboxer]

​@@SaneMillennialsounds like a typical out of touch response. It's not the tech age, it's literally because the boomers did not have enough kids causing the next generation to be raised in suburbs with no other kids leading to social isolation. Technology is the only way the new generation can connect. It escalates per generation as they get smaller. Secondly the oldest two generations are hoarding wealth while also preventing the next generation from entering the market (nimbyism), they're literally cutting the rings off the ladder. Lastly the final issue is that GDP is decreasing thanks to them not reproducing and now saving soinstead of investing in their own kids and helping them build up they are importing the entire third world causing the cost of living to increase, lowering of wages, and abolishment of culture. All this does is delay the great population collapse that will change humanity for centuries.

[@thanasis-_-]

​@@mitch7110the average libertarian brain

[@the_night_sky777]

When the government freaks out about declining bith rate, I hear "have more tax slaves! We need money to pay for all those astrophysicists we import from all over the world!"

[@shawnstephens6795]

I grew up poor and I was happy...people are so selfish.

[@WUR5TY]

0:32 Dinks are not a new trend or type of household. I personally first heard of it in the 90s cartoon Doug with his neighbors were Mr. and Mrs. Dink who have no children and made it a point to show off the expensive stuff they would buy by not having kids.

[@VeeVeeLa]

The Dinklebergs from The Fairly Oddparents too.

[@frostmagemarii]

Not a new trend; but the new trend is being overly proud and smug about it at every turn, and derisively calling people "breeders" when they see someone with a child.

[@wisemage0]

@@frostmagemarii Might be personal bias kicking in, but I see way more overly proud parents IRL: showing off pictures of their kid like she's a sports car or something. I've never heard someone derisively use the term _"breeder"_ outside of goofy social media accounts or fringe internet forums.

[@dango2917]

@@wisemage0 imagine getting mad at a parent for being proud of the child they raised.

[@AkiRa22084]

@@wisemage0 Do you want us to go extinct? Praiseworthy actions deserve praise.

[@dillroastington]

The biggest barrier to people having children other than money is hope for the future, and theres a pretty big lack of that in the US these days.

[@TheAndale555]

That’s my reason watching this country go to shit. Not bringing in anyone else into this mess

[@MrXaphus]

You're not wrong, but you likely wouldn't be here to say that if your ancestors felt that way once upon a time

[@lucasbrant9856]

Couldn't care less about the future. I'd just rather spend my money/time on me instead of someone else.

[@OkitaSoujiWilliams]

That is the agenda, turn everything for the worse so that people just refuses to have children

[@dillroastington]

@@MrXaphus sure, but this is literally the first generation in American history when a generation is worse off than their parents in terms of prospects for the future.

[@tech-reaver8457]

I am 32 with 3 kids. I feel like it's definitely harder as a parent. Financially it is demanding as well as physically.

[@Eric-ej3oy]

Ppl actually bring children into the world to feel like this. Kool.

[@JimAsh-co3rp]

An important factor is also that job security no longer really exists in the current market. Companies seasonally dump hundreds or thousands of employees every year to cut costs for quarterly reports then rehire people with less experience who they don't have to pay as much anymore.

[@kasagure.]

i don't want kids because i grew up watching my parents struggle with money. i am currently struggling with money, and i definitely forsee myself not being able to be the best mother i can be to a child with my income. why would i want to perpetuate the cycle? why should i force a child to suffer just because "having a child is the end goal?"

[@CaseyDavies-od7ir]

Same

[@mr.nobody2244]

same

[@Archaoen0]

then try your best to make money, if you can't then no one will blame you, but people who have more than enough money to have children but refuse to are better of donating their money away at the very least, not waste it for overconsumption that feeds the very issue.

[@brednbudr2406]

Definitely figure your shit out. Nothing worse than a provider than can't provide. But don't equate your current situation with never having kids. That should be the goal. There is nothing in this world that can equal the joy of a child. Fix your shit. Raise a family.

[@JohnSmith-zk3kd]

@@brednbudr2406 Having a child is only a joyful if you like kids or benefit from it in some way. A kid is a waste of time for most and a money burning machine. Most children cause unnecessary problems either with their behavior or disabilities, you can't fix everyone's behavior with good parenting. It's a financial risk with no return.

[@88bsides]

I have two kids. Theres very little support for parents in America. Its very hard. I don't regret it for a second, but that doesn't change the fact that it shouldn't be this hard.

[@daftmonk7215]

Far less support for non-parents. There's just very little support for citizens in the USA.

[@dariusrosso3783]

I realy don't know how america got this "bestest and greatest" title. Besides all the current problems the european care system is solid. My wife got paid 65% of her previous income for a year for staying home, we got "free" healthcare (the cost is far less than in amerca) and daycare costs as much as you get paid for having a child. All in all you may pay a little extra bit nothing devastating.

[@UBEChoca]

@@daftmonk7215 Probably because all your money is going to Ukraine and Israel

[@hefenteig1084]

@@dariusrosso3783 America never got the Title of "bestest and greatest". They are just feeling that way. That is why this country sucks ass at almost everything when there isn't money involved. It is the perfect dystopia and it is still getting worse.

[@shiverman8]

Stop voting Democrat, vote Republican.

[@danielsurvivor1372]

27:25 He's LITERALLY Ryan Gosling -I drive- *I rent"

[@mrmillz7841]

The people calling them selfish confuse me why would you want someone to bring a kid into this world knowing their parents can’t or don’t want to take care of them that’s seems more selfish that just not having kids

[@Subsistence69]

It is. That mindset makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever

[@sigvartng]

You need to have kids so they can grow up and work their ass off for minimum wage and make money for the bossman while hating their life just like their old man... as another commented here "we're just the working cattle for cooperations"

[@AshNeeko]

Asmon cringing at the idea of “self care” might actually be the most ironic thing in existence

[@Grandmastergav86]

He is right

[@juter1122]

​@@Grandmastergav86 he is in Antarctica with right at the north pole

[@eliajshdjddj]

@@Grandmastergav86 no he isn't

[@avradio0b]

The idea of self-care is important (put your own oxygen mask on before you try helping others), but it's one of those terms which has become diluted with overuse. A bit like "woke" which was meaningful 15+ years ago (being aware of the struggles others have that you may not) but is now a catch all term that could mean anything from "progressive" to "thing I don't like". Buzzwords and hashtags erode nuance

[@WumboCrackWizard]

I don't think you know what ironic means

[@imunfathomable]

Too many aspects of society are broken. Healthcare, housing, food, time are rare commodities. I dont blame them. But at same time i have 3 kids and my parents would babysit during the day a few times a week to help. If you dont have available family care its incredibly hard.

[@nohoemode155]

couldn't agree more. Without my parents who regularly baby sit our baby, we would be absolutely exhausted.

[@benjaminhartman4488]

I have two kids and no grandparents around to babysit. It’s been four years of absolutely grind.

[@CubicleJ0ckey]

They’re only broke when you’re poor, unfortunately.

[@Viper3220]

Me, on dating apps age 25-35 - Finding that 8/10 women *already* have kids from a previous relationship. I think the study only asked people who didn't *already* have kids and didn't bother asking all the parents who had unplanned kids

[@LaughingRam]

"My children are my world" - do they all still same the same shit?

[@ROVA00]

Not wanting to have kids is not selfish. If anything, it’s selfless when you know you can’t afford to give them the life they deserve. Wanting to have a kid is literally about yourself. It means you want something “cute” to take care of and look up to you, and to fit in with your friends with kids.

[@chrissidesteps3745]

I dont understand when people say "oh you dont want kids your selfish" Then fo on to say the reason they have kids "whos going to care for you when your older?" Just seen as a means to an end

[@tantiush]

who guarantee that ur child will care for u ? how u know that ur child can outlive u ? some people that has kids want to drag down other ppl to share their mysery. and dilusional comfort seeing they smiled.

[@Bloodark124]

People like that just don't take them too seriously lol

[@zeph7691]

I can't think of a non selfish reason to HAVE kids. people give their reasons and it always starts with "I WANT" i want to raise them like xyz, I want to teach them my values, i want to see a little me grow up. it's always about the parents ego.

[@orangeeeeeee]

​@@Bloodark124 There is scarily many those kinds of people...

[@limitedhangoutlive]

A woman I worked with said she isn’t having kids. I told her to reconsider because I was the same way and it changes you. You really should have kids. She got angry at me and made a snide remark. Fast forward two years later and she had her first. She tells me everyday how I was right. I’m not going to say it’s selfish, but I am going to tell people who are adamant about not having kids to reconsider. Unfortunately it’s something you don’t realize how great it is until you have them and then at that point, there’s no going back. There’s no trial period which is why the conversation is a hard one to have or why it sounds demeaning on both sides to argue the opposite. But it is definitely something that VASTLY changes your perspective on life. It is the closest thing to witnessing a miracle you’ll ever experience.

[@shokeya]

I guess I'm SINK then.

[@nuggyfresh6430]

hell yeah

[@Kuhekin]

NINK :(

[@The_Joestar]

Let that sink in

[@ghostf6321]

Shout out to my fellow SINK's

[@demandred1957]

Dude... That hits pretty hard.

[@hamiltonian4698]

i’m honestly scared to have kids. i don’t want to be murdered in my sleep by some unhinged high school kid

[@facecheck9101]

Moral of the story, people with money can have kids and you can't. I don't think anyone is prepared for children, I think people are not being taught properly. And also the family court system, or at a minimum how single parent households are dealt with is absolutely atrocious

[@crazychainsaw007]

Kid sees parent or others struggle due to lack of money Kid grows up and makes decisions so they can not struggle and have money. *shocked Pikachu face*

[@justinbellpa]

Cognitive dissonance

[@exnozgaming5657]

Kid sees old parents die and kid ain't 20 yet. Kid decides kid will have his own kid in 20s. *Fails to get a proper job and woman until mid 30s.* Kid no longer wants a kid

[@Often_Uneliable]

That's why I’m not having kids if I was upper class maybe but it's irresponsible to have kids when you don't have the means to raise them or the suitable partner to do so.

[@munster1404]

That was what I did. Dad's business was destroyed by immigrants undercutting job bids. Parents divorced, Dad went away. Luckily my sibling and I were working. He in a cushy corporate job, me in a low paid but still sufficient blue collar trade (power plant/boiler technician) earning about 1/4 of what my younger brother makes. Both of us made up our minds to stay single & childless.

[@Christian___]

@@Often_Uneliable Your kids are better off alive and growing up poor than being condemned to never having been born. Andrew Carnegie, one of the richest men in history, was born dirt poor and said it was the greatest gift you can give a child.

[@TheSulfer]

Bro and this is in the US, imagine us living in South East Asia who can't even afford a house, even renting a 1 bedroom unit can be considered a luxury in our city. I don't want to have a kid and force them to live like this. For me it is just logical, what is not logical is people forcing other people to have kids and calling it selfish if they do not want to.

[@saswitchcraft7881]

The population of all the "poor" countries are above replacement. Funny how that works.

[@nai3346]

I have news for you, a majority of people in the US will probably never be able to afford a house in the cities where they work.

[@borincod]

the excpectations for parents became so high, that people do not want having children anymore. fair enough

[@PunishedSnake]

Who would have guessed that home prices going up 1100% since 1980, groceries being half your income, and cost of living being higher than ever with miniscule wage growth would have a measurable impact on childbearing? Who could have seen this coming?!

[@ProdiJay]

If you want kids, have kids. If you don’t want kids, don’t have kids. It really is simple. Edit: People are overthinking this too much. If you want kids, you should obviously be prepared financially and mentally. 🙄 Make smart decisions.

[@Arnyh0ld]

Except it's not.

[@datboiashy2957]

@@Arnyh0ldBut it really is lol

[@Itsnotthatdeep88]

@@datboiashy2957 I know right!? People who are saying "it won't be ok" don't take into consideration some people who have kids and how many they are having...whether it's for religous reasons or otherwise. For example one of my sisters has 9 kids...the other sister has 5 kids just alone that's 14 people for the next generation...if people who are judging other's for NOT having kids are looking at this because of some "population quota" then rest assured we will be ok as a species. LOL The world has been through several mass human deaths (black plague, Spanish Flu, etc) and we have seem to bounce back...dare I say that some people think the world is too overpopulated (different discussion). All I'm saying is that for the folks who think that EVERYONE should have kids because it feels some type of "quota' relax...rest assured someone somewhere in the USA has filled your quota for you LOL

[@PaulGuy]

If you're not sure, don't have kids. Only have kids if you're totally into the idea.

[@jaydenjones4404]

I think a lot of the point went over your head. The cost of living is making it unfeasible for people who actually want kids to have them responsibly. They feel pretty much forced to be DINKS. The people that don't want kids weren't going to have them regardless.

[@Hello_jo]

It’s a shame because people this mindful and aware of how they can’t afford kids would make the best parents. Instead people that don’t think before they act are the only breeding.

[@Brrrrap]

5 kids. 34. Married to An amazing women. Children bring you more joy than anything but, WHAT DOES NETWORTH BRING YOU WHEN YOUR DEAD. Taxes and kick backs. There’s plenty of assistance. The younger generation isn’t stupid it’s just UNEDUCATED!!! Cry about it.

[@MaxPalaro]

I was rich, than I had a kid and I'm not anymore. But you know what, I'm pretty sure when I'm 60-70 life will have a different meaning and my future self would hate If I didn't choose to have a kid. I could live confortably and die, but now life has more chalenges. It's like a New Game + for me

[@ryanfonte3460]

NG + implies you completed the first run. done everything you wanted to do in life first?

[@olivertvist1799]

How in the ever loving fuck did one child cost you so much? 😂 I think you'd have spent that money regardless because there is no reason you'd forsake financial prudence when having a kid (I have 2)

[@Adroyo]

I’d rather be broke at the end with a child than rich with none.

[@WarlockInTraining]

My Uncle who has 2 homes, several trucks and cars, 2 boats, ect ect ect is just turning 60 and admitted to me he wish he had kids and is very lonely. Very sad.

[@aliveagain]

My main concern is with lineage. So all my previous ancestors had kids and they've gotten 'us' to this point of time. And if it were possible, I'd want to live forever and see the future, bad or good. Instead, I'll let my kids see it for me; and let them decide the same similarly. Plus overall, it'd just feel like im letting down all those before me. And those people struggled like crazy, and if I put my comfort first- it kinda invalidates theirs. I'm no more important than those before me. Thus we shall carry on.

[@MACH1TIPS]

I would take my kids over all the money and time in the world. Just them running to me and hugging me when i get home from work or telling me “goodnight daddy i love you” at night makes it all worth it

[@Sira_Kackavalj]

I like how idiots say it's selfish to not want kids. Like obviously bruh, im not gonna raise another human if im unable to take care of it. Selfish towards your kid. What kid? A hypothetical child that doesnt even exist

[@TehFlush]

Selfish because it means you have to share and your life won't revolve around you anymore. Same reason why someone who refuses to share is selfish despite never actually being in the position where he is able to share because he avoids it altogether.

[@evilparadigm]

​@@TehFlushMaybe, but kuds also increase resouce consumption and carbon footprint. Kids take time from you spending time with friends and other family. Kids contribute to overpopulation.

[@TehFlush]

@@evilparadigm no such thing as overpopulation. Carbon footprint is negligeable in first world countries relative to developing countries. If you don't want kids, that's fine, but silly to frame it like that. The best thing my kids can do for me is to have a ton more kids. My tribe will grow.

[@evilparadigm]

@@TehFlush I don't care that you don't care about carbon footprint. To clarify I'm talking mostly about the literal tons of disposable diapers and food packaging. You are factually wrong about overpopulation. Every animal on this planet has a maximum carrying capacity. The maximum is debatable, but the existence of a limit is not.

[@TehFlush]

@@evilparadigm bro we have enough space to fit the entire world in like two states of the country. Again, don't have kids, not my problem. Your line ends with you as does your way of thinking. I already have kids, plan to have more, and will tell my kids to have even more than I did since I'll be financially able to subsidize them doing so.

[@m0utruche]

it's really easy to see who grew up in a healthy stable house vs who didn't, some people are not made for children and it's not selfish

[@i.c.wiener2750]

Problem is most people who are poor and grew up in unstable families will get multiple kids, while the people who were more suited to get kids choose not to.

[@m0utruche]

@@i.c.wiener2750 yep, just like Idiocracy

[@hellomate639]

​@m0utruche I think the pointing at idiocracy and complaining is part of the problem. Like, clearly, poor people are raising children. Are they perfect? No, but many of them do awesome things as adults despite, or perhaps, because they had less as a child. Our society values its empires of dirt over community, and that is reflected down to the individual level of people not wanting kids. Fine. Build your empire of dirt. Grow old, become irrelevant and old and rich... but when you die that money doesn't go with you. And, when you're old, the choices you took will remain with you.

[@lanceneol865]

Regardless the reason why you don't want kids it's ultimately a selfish mentality. I don't have kids and I'm 35, I'm mature enough to admit it's been for selfish reasons

[@hellomate639]

@@lanceneol865 Heh you think you "maybe sort of want kids" and then you see the first sonogram, and you start feeling like you're going to pass out from joy.

[@PatientBoat]

I can barely afford to survive on my own, despite having an "above average" salary for my location.

[@ValenAlvern]

Fucking inflation man. In the 90s early 2000s my single parent mother with 40k salary could own a house on her own Now I make almost the same amount but can barely afford a single bed apartment. You need need to have double the amount to afford a house by yourself or dual income to equal that. If you want kids you need almost triple it. You need a CEOs salary to own a home for your family. I fully support eat the rich, literally holding back everyone.

[@Parasite_Eve_1776]

​@ValenAlvern it's by design

[@Tagerrun]

How often do you eat out and spend on wants not needs?

[@gottagofastest]

@@Tagerrun Why are you in denial that the economy is worse? Does it detract from your own achievements if younger people have it harder?

[@Duspringsteen]

From 2019 to now, my salary increased like 25% yet food, rent and everything else tripled in cost. In fact, I left a 1 bed room apartment to live with 3 more people in a shared household

[@MrDominosEffect]

Those are DINKWADs! Dual Income No Kids With A Dog.

[@peves-]

To the guy who said it's selfish not having a kid: It's selfish to have a kid and not want it. Why would you have a kid you don't want? That kid would have the worst upbringing ever because you wouldn't like it.

[@CyberRahbit]

"Kids are the death of net worth." is the MOST REALISTIC and brutal statement I've ever heard.

[@deshawnwashington3798]

But death to current net worth, that ignores the incentive kids cause of working harder and the fact that on average people that had kids are more than twice as rich than those that don't by mean average at 55 and older. A DINK can save, the hardest part is doing it longer term. Parents have to think long term.

[@cannadaddoit7460]

Net worth < bloodline Where's all that money going in the end? Lol

[@saswitchcraft7881]

Right back to Uncle Sam babayyy. @@cannadaddoit7460

[@theteamxxx3142]

-> have a lot of money -> get depressed at 50 cause no kids and probably wife left you long time ago -> be depressed and die 30 years earlier -> money useless -> much wow

[@zaroko8105]

​​@@theteamxxx3142 stop writing your fantasy in the comments

[@MARKHENSTROM]

I read a good quote on the subject recently: every child deserves parents but not all parents deserves their child. EDIT:spelling

[@MARKHENSTROM]

PS: this wasn't necessarily singling out "bad" parents - but more so to point out that taking care of a child involves a lot more than having a sunny disposition. You've got to be able to support the child emotionally, physically, financially. I heard this said YEARS ago in a long-form interview the Archive of American Television did with Judge Judy. Don't give me the whole "any parent is better than no parent" BS. Tell that to the children of Josef Fritzl or the kids in the Turpin case. Being a parent is more than "in name only". I see similar within the adoption of animals from shelters. People think having whatever animal is smooth sailing - but there's vet bills, learning the ins-and-outs of the animal in question, unforeseen stuff - and so - some people feel overwhelmed and end up returning the animal to the shelter, or give it away to someone else - or dump it somewhere. You can't find much of a trace of me online - but there's countless comments I've left on KZbin videos of animals - because I love animals. I wouldn't dare to bring an animal into my life, though - because I know I can't provide all the things I'd want it to experience during its' time on this Earth. Never go to bed hungry, endless amounts of cuddles/affection/attention, probably a second or even third friend to keep 'em company. If you question whether you can be there for another living creature - then it's best to not take on the responsibility for said creature. Just my POV. Making a kid is EZ. Taking care of it is *potentially* nightmare-difficulty level shit. Here's what to consider: imagine being FORCED to play on nightmare-difficulty. Nope. You cannot play the game on a lesser level of difficulty. Yeah, that's a good way of thinking about it.

[@queenofzenk]

100% Parenthood is not a victimless crime if you do it bad.

[@darthmader057mmm6]

This is so overused it makes me pull my hair out when I hear it

[@viktorlindqvist5308]

@@darthmader057mmm6 It is absolutely true though

[@darthmader057mmm6]

@@viktorlindqvist5308 still overused and cringe-inducing

[@pinkpeter0007]

As a 37 year old bro . I have 3 kid ,it is the best thing I ever did. Getting my son into action figures and my daughters playing Mario on switch . Life is good. Let’s see how these people feel when they are old and don’t have a kids.

[@darkchurchhill]

Both my partner and I work for different tech startups so while the pay is decent we both have shit benefits. We would be screwed on the medical cost and maternity/paternity leave time. Even as the child gets older, I only have 10 PTO days a year. That’s not enough time to take a child to the doctors or have fun on their days off school. So if we wanted to have kids we would both need to change jobs first (and work there for a while) which is a huge barrier.

[@valaquenta220]

It's fascinating how people who have everything to be good parents (decent man and woman, enough income to deal with that) won't have kids these days because they actually thought about it a lot, but the most terrible people will have tons of them...today's kids are already a mess, I don't even want to know what kids will be like in 15 years.

[@invisibelle7590]

Not sure money makes someone a good parent. Met some pretty fecke up people who had 'nice' parents.

[@retren5188]

​@@invisibelle7590thats true but having no money and still having kids does automatically make you a bad parent

[@shefalichow7917]

@@retren5188 No, it doesn't. Poor people have a right to have families, too. That you do your best, and love your children, is what truly matters.

[@valaquenta220]

@@retren5188 What?...Dude, that's not at all what I was saying and it's COMPLETELY wrong. There are tons and tons of excellent parents who are poor and raised wonderful people. When I mentioned horrible people in my original post it had nothing to do with how much money they have. It makes me so sad how some people (like you just did) would equate someone's net worth with their worth as a parent or a human being...what a fucked up thing to believe.

[@slamkam07]

​@@retren5188I don't think it makes them a BAD parent, I will say it makes them a WORSE parent. But not necessarily a bad one.

[@AlexOlinkiewicz]

Funny enough when I was in my teens, I mention I have no interest in getting married and having kids, and my parent and grandparents said that once I get older I'll have have a different opinion... well I am now in my early 30's and I still have no interest in getting married or having kids.

[@joshanonline]

Well, I don't blame you for not doing any of that with current modern women.

[@sora5982]

@@whisper0fdeath677 bot ass response

[@3eezy]

​@@sora5982 it's not all women, but you'd be plain ignorant to ignore how some modern are acting these days. Women stalking men at "Lowe's" to find husbands because it's "too hard out here." Tiktok clips alone will show you.

[@_Morri_]

I'm 44 now (female) and me and my husband always knew we didn't want kids. The amount of times I was told in the past I would change my mind when I was older, is just insane. Guess what; I STILL don't want any kids and I'm happy with the decision I made.

[@captainvanisher988]

Darwinism at its finest

[@deletodraw1944]

"If kids are so expensive why can so many poor people raise kids?" You've got it backwards. Those poor people are poor BECAUSE they're raising kids.

[@blackraven8841]

Got raised in poverty. 4 siblings, all different dads. Older siblings would understand. That responsibility on you at a young age killed my drive later in life. Finally got outta that life and people ask all the time if i want kid's. Hell no. I just obtained my freedom, you want me to be shackled again?

[@mhmtakeyatime9000]

Of course, the key to happiness is marrying someone you don't like, get kids you don't want, wage slave away as your partner is dissatisfied and cheats, and eventually live in a pod.

[@sixonepm]

Who hurt you, bro?

[@mhmtakeyatime9000]

@@sixonepm I've hurt myself. And withdrawal symptoms.

[@theLanceInPants]

​@@sixonepm50% national divorce rate, so it's not a farfetched situation partially or as a whole

[@two4328]

Shoeonhead take right here, except she would say it as a joke

[@Dinkslayer681]

Why would you make those choices? Lol

[@RaydivatheWriter]

I'm not sure if it's funny or sad that the same people who are at least partially responsible for high medical costs, lack of support for new mothers, higher maternal mortality rates, etc are the usually same people saying that not enough children are being born.

[@brednbudr2406]

Exact opposite. It's people like this that think a mother is "selfish" for bringing a child into the world, and want to withhold that. Who benefits from couples NOT having kids? From couples working more and producing product mindlessly till they die. Think.

[@sayantanmazumdar3]

@brednbudr2406 Nah, those decrepit politicians want people to have children, so they can keep the miserable cycle of exorbitant student loans and healthcare insurance keep going.

[@Day_Chap]

Crimes high, wages are down, costs are up. It makes people reluctant to have families. The governments solution to import even more people though, just makes the problem worse. Costs for housing go up and wages stay low due to more competition.

[@sean6793]

Wonder which way you lean there 😂😂😂 Bro read a book sometime instead of watching Fox News eh?

[@Day_Chap]

@@sean6793Wonder which way you lean there bro 🤣🤣🤣 Maybe go outside into the real world instead of watching CNN eh?

[@hobosnake1]

@@sean6793 Well on one side here, we have somebody giving reasoning and an opinion. On the other hand we have an emoji-using guy who contributed absolutely nothing substantive and made the most painfully obvious observation that anyone could ever make. Lay off the CNN and Cardi B.

[@mommasbigboy8656]

@@sean6793labor is no different than any other commodity. So when you inflate the supply demand goes down.

[@CheeseOfMasters]

@@mommasbigboy8656 Not to mention crimes and drugs that are imported this way. Plus the libs calling for defunding police, late term abortion and all that other fun stuff that screams decadence.

[@v3rlol]

I don't see anything wrong with double income no kids , what's bad is double kids no income

[@deandre1988]

That’s because you are self centered and don’t practice the ability to project and look ahead more than your current needs. Good luck

[@jnmarshmello2728]

?​@@deandre1988

[@chazhansen2479]

And its going to destroy our economy not having new taxpayers

[@tl566]

​@@chazhansen2479 Right, which is why ultimately you don't want to create an economy where prices keep jacking upwards and wages stay stagnant. The government needs to intervene at some point because success within the system (kids, house, car, etc.) is becoming more and more unrealistic.

[@rubba6818]

@@chazhansen2479 It is not going to destroy our economy to have less people. The fewer people the more for everyone else. You are thinking in reverse here.

[@Holiman1989able]

If they wanted to have kids , they would have said , I want kids but I can’t afford them . Let’s be serious , they don’t want the responsibility, we are raised and treated like children until 23 , so of course if you mature at 35 you won’t have kids , you are to old , and unattractive.

[@sggsquadpresents]

Screw society and kid making since I wanna afford to live and do what I want. I only have one life in this world and I wanna make the most of the time I have.

[@didi7074]

Same bro, life is too short to spend most of it covered in poop and piss

[@followedknight]

I had kids at 24 and I am 38 now, when I had kids it made me do better for them and myself, Before that I didnt care how things played out. Being a parent is definitely not for everyone, just do what makes you happy.

[@DG-kr8pt]

Thing is that women surveyed later in life found ~80% of them either wanted to have kids and couldn't for various reasons, or didnt want them initially and now regret it.

[@MySimDied]

@@DG-kr8pt As a woman, 80% of women definitely do not want to have kids. Surveys usually tell you what the person running it want them to, i'm sure you can find one where only 20% of women wanted to. I'd say it's around 50-50 of women in their late 20's . If anything from my social circle maybe 40-60. Even most of the 'yes's' are actually not sures or yes under the right conditions. There are so many girls that find the whole idea of having kids awful.

[@dahbeebe]

100% you need kids cuz we the people are dumb af and need them to help better ourselves

[@digitalzomb]

I never wanted a kid. We ended up having one by chance. It's the best thing that's ever happened to me. Honestly didn't think my life would be so full of love that it actually gave it meaning.

[@aresjerry]

Yes they don't understand parents have Dual income, and increased drive. I work 50 hours a week comfortably because of my motivation. Just took 5 kids to Monster Jam last night, it was awesome not a "financial challenge."

[@Irrationalhumanity]

50-60k isn’t even enough to afford a girlfriend let alone a kid

[@CharleyScene69ify]

You don’t know how to save and finance then. Have a wife and 2 kids and I make around 60k and still have a PS5 and all kinds of nice things. Just got a 65” TV. People who say this just spend their money on stupid shit and can’t save. I have zero debt and two cars too so I would suggest you get someone to help you finance.

[@TheDrizzCAKEN]

@@CharleyScene69ifyWhat region of the US you live in? Do you get government assistance? Do you get assistance from relatives / family?

[@power50001562]

That big income and losing it to a girlfriend.... snap out of it

[@CharleyScene69ify]

@@TheDrizzCAKEN I get zero assistance. I live in VA.

[@ericneo2]

@@CharleyScene69ifyYou clearly have not dated modern women. I don't know any single women that aren't $20,000-$40,000 in credit card debt or family debt from living outside of their means, forget their student loans. They live the highlife and think it's normal for men to be making 6 figures. ​ @spacecowboy373 ​ @CharleyScene69ify The two of you sound like you are projecting. I don't date these women, I know them and I know they live beyond their means because come end of the month when rent is due they are asking everyone for money. @CharleyScene69ify Just because you found a unicorn doesn't mean all women are like your 1 unicorn.

[@praisethesun9005]

7:34 Caring partner forgets which cup had the poison 🥰😆

[@r2Kd0ugernaut]

who the duck actually said its selfish to not want to have kids? would you rather a kid exist in an environment where theyre not wanted? cause thats what happens when people who dont want kids have kids.

[@RTaylor661]

Living in my 30s with no kids is like living in my 20s but with money.

[@kcototheyoyoyo]

That’s how I wanna be

[@valaquenta220]

Living in my 30's with no kids and still not a lot of money to go by unfortunately. But then again I'm not in America so yeah, money doesn't come by easy where I live.

[@Gimmers18]

Living in my 30s with two kids and a wife is the most rewarding thing I've ever done

[@collinsmcrae]

@@Gimmers18Cool story bro. Still not interested.

[@TheXantaur]

@@Gimmers18 Good for you lmao, your the only one who cares about your kids and wife though, other people will live how they want

[@rogantu]

My parents wanted kids but didn't want to be parents. I think more and more people nowadays actually realize when they don't want to be parents and then choose to not have the kids they want as a result, and that is good. That is only a tiny factor though.

[@klleptic]

Like I'm in my early 30's - I make full time income. I STILL can barely afford rent in a shared apartment. I STILL have 30k in student loans. No one else is any better, we're not in a good position to take on kids

[@TheMapleTable]

I have 2 kids and my 3rd was born on the weekend. For just 2 kids in daycare we (my wife and I) pay over $3000 a month. Our household income is 6 figures... Things are tight and we now have to consider childcare costs for 3

[@soggeedoggee1351]

why are you paying for childcare if its that much

[@TheMapleTable]

@@soggeedoggee1351 fair question, both my wife and I have good careers that would be set back by not working. Even with the good incomes it's still tight.

[@didi7074]

Damn, it's literally a rent. I guess the best way to know if someone can afford kids is calculating if they could survive paying doubel the rent + all the extra expenses of a baby (diaper, stroller, baby clothes etc)