Should I have children? - CrowdScience, BBC World Service

"To be or not to be" was never your decision. No one alive today is an “exister” by consent - your parents made that call for you. But who can blame them?
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Animals are hardwired with strong impulses towards their procreative goals, and we humans, by and large, are no different. But for some conscientious people alive today, this most fundamental of biological impulses is butting up against a rational pessimism about the future...
With apocalyptic scenes of natural disasters, rising sea levels and global pandemics causing existential dread and actual suffering, it's understandable that CrowdScience listener Philine Hoven from Austria wrote to us asking for help her make sense of what she sees as the most difficult question she faces - should she have children?
In this episode, presenter Geoff Marsh helps Philine to predict what kind of a world her hypothetical child might inhabit, and explores the impact their existence, or indeed non-existence might have on society and the planet. Plus, we'll explore what ‘antinatalism’- a philosophical stance which argues against procreation, can tell us about the moral landscape of the unborn. With Ms Caroline Hickman, Professor Mike Berners-Lee, Professor Noriko Tsuya and Professor David Benatar.
Download CrowdScience here: www.bbc.co.uk/...
Presented and produced by Geoff Marsh for BBC World Service
Thumbnail credit: Getty Images
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[@tungtvann1]

The question shouldn’t be “do I want to have children” it should be “if my children had a choice, would they chose to be born?”

[@tungtvann1]

@Cosmic Lifeist Define a good life

[@Gaze73]

How can an unborn child know that? Some people don't know the answer all their life, and even if they answer no, they survive until old age.

[@tungtvann1]

@@Gaze73 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnismXhtlpaKfdk

[@skrq9167]

Well said. I am an Antinatalist.

[@abdell75roussos]

What utter crap.We had children during the cold war. My parents during ww2, and theirs ww1. There parents when people were super poor and dead aged 50. What utter shit. Turns out other non white etc are having lots of children. How do they cope in poor countries?

[@YeeSun]

I think not only the environmental plays a role to have children or not but also the financial aspect plays a huge role. Salaries are not catching up with the high inflation. Families are struggling financially while both couples are working full time or have multiple jobs just to survive.

[@piotrniec9638]

!!!!!!!! Adaptation of children and renunciation of parental rights !!!!!!!!

[@trevagraham1605]

I would never do something to someone that I wouldn't want done to me, and for that I will never have children.

[@PhilosophicalRamblings]

For the very same reason many would choose to have children. I am against guilt tripping people into not having children - that is 'unethical' right?

[@jeroendebruyne2165]

Why are you still alive then?

[@igorlinhu]

At least here in Brazil ,the primary concern about have kids or not is based on financial aspect

[@noeliagarcia152]

How funny they have not mentioned any of that 😅. Well the girl lives in Switzerland, does she? 😅😅😅

[@francisdec1615]

Antinatalism is the solution. Contra-intuitive to most people but nevertheless the solution.

[@francisdec1615]

@Cosmic Lifeist The problem is that all sentient life means suffering. The solution is that all sentient life goes extinct. Then all suffering ceases. It will never cease as long as there is one single sentient being left.

[@Gaze73]

How is that different from suicide booths or better yet nuclear war? If reproduction is pointless then so is living.

[@emmy4537]

exactly

[@emmy4537]

@@Gaze73 it’s all about prevention

[@Gaze73]

@@emmy4537 Tell that to Africa which is responsible for 90% of the population growth.

[@bearc5737]

Are they tryna hypnotise us with those sodding circles or what!

[@lenkamuhammadova1463]

😂

[@Truthseeker371]

Having children is not the critical issue. It's raising them. Most people in the post industrialised society don't know what it takes to be parents. They are not shown by the parents and society. They are only happy to remain childish. Maturity is prerequisite to parenting. One can have it before becoming a parent, or he nurtures it while raising children. Some don't get it at all. Raising children grows yourself to understand the humanities. It's the best teacher to understand about others and the nature. On the other side, economic and climate worries are unnecessary. When you are ready to sacrifise your life to raise kids in the decent and appropriate way, you will always be blessed to find the way. I foster 140 kids and it's my personal testimony.

[@shwedagonpaya]

Why is antinatalism such a worrying trend and tragic? What Pollyanna 'Aunty' rhetoric. 12 billion people living 'sustainably'...is Berners-Lee serious? Good news that people are waking up and saying NO to procreation. Full marks to David Benatar... 'Better Never to Have Been' is the way to go.

[@PhilosophicalRamblings]

Because it is illogical and makes no sense when thought out rationally AND when the evidence is taken into consideration. It is worrying that so many are so easily convinced when it allows them to avoid responsibilities and burdens.

[@jeroendebruyne2165]

There will never be 12 billion people. Although I do agree some people probably never would have been born. Wink Wink.

[@SyedaShireen-w7y]

I regret having a child. I’d I had waited another 5 years I would have NEVER EVER had a child. I wish my child never has a child. All of this, not because it is not a pleasure to have her. She is the love of my life but my heart ACHES and I cry myself to sleep every night thinking about the world she is growing up in and the world she will deal with when I’m not there. I am not going to list a billion reasons why I think it’s selfish to have kids in this world, people know that already. I will never have more kids. I refuse to give birth to a beautiful living being only to let them be treated like a piece of shit by the leaders do this world.

[@Moraeal_han_al]

This subject gave me as well a lot of food for thought.

[@denisesiddon7241]

Kids these days are much smarter so they are thinking more into things I had 2 now 14 and 21. They both don't want any

[@pipelee727]

Human beings come from nature, so just let everything follows nature

[@wassimmahmoud7062]

لِّلَّهِ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ يَخۡلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُۚ يَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ إِنَٰثًا وَيَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ٱلذُّكُورَ To Allah ˹alone˺ belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates whatever He wills. He blesses whoever He wills with daughters, and blesses whoever He wills with sons, أَوۡ يُزَوِّجُهُمۡ ذُكۡرَانًا وَإِنَٰثًاۖ وَيَجۡعَلُ مَن يَشَآءُ عَقِيمًاۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌ قَدِيرٌ or grants both, sons and daughters, ˹to whoever He wills˺, and leaves whoever He wills infertile. He is indeed All-Knowing, Most Capable. Whatever he wills happens, and whatever He does not will does not happen. He gives to whomsoever He wills and withholds from whomsoever he wills; none can withhold what He gives, and none can give what He withholds, and He creates whatever He wills.

[@lix5639]

当好父母是最难的事，真的很难很难

[@koalatheworld]

@lix5639 是的。我同意你的看法。在我看来，养孩子比读博士还难。😂

[@KenLã-m5l]

the question should be do you want kids!

[@johnpark11]

Having kids is like adding a member of sqid dying game

[@silllyousu]

I don't understand why people talk about climate change in this episode? Is it related to "should I have children"?

[@mollymo6229]

He called a child “it”??? Pathetic

[@michaelweston1042]

Don't have kids, open borders.

[@ediccartman7252]

Woke agenda is ruling

[@MrSvenovitch]

So that mass breeders from the South can move North in even greater numbers?

[@marywynn8705]

that's BBC plan for the UK :D

[@michaelweston1042]

​@@marywynn8705Most of the West, Japan and Korea. Open borders is a bit slow on the last two. But they are pushing it.

[@michaelweston1042]

Nihilism and hedonism.

[@nuggetsss2526]

No

[@lorirobb2844]

Dont

[@dralissa123]

David is weird.

[@Muhammadibnrustamiyah]

26:15 this buddy is talking from the hair of tate also buddy is a agent of matrix

[@jerrymeo1137]

I think it's fundamentally naive to think a good life is pain-free and risk-free. No matter what kind of society one is born into, pain and pleasure come hand in hand. It is ridiculous to say if a life will involve pain and suffering it will absolutely be a bad one.

[@Olexandr____]

Educated people - should i have children? What a stupid question ❓ yes

[@Marie-jb9cr]

Yes, WE DONT WANT HUMANS to go extinct right?? Data shows by 2070 birth rate will decline,, it's alarming. Many businesses will close as well.. Being a mother, yes. it's very challenging but it makes your heart full and you have a legacy

[@benrob9411]

The "good" answer depends on your skin color.

[@PhilosophicalRamblings]

Oh right! EVERYTHING is about skin tone right ... how naive of us to view humanity as a whole ... sadge

[@benrob9411]

@@PhilosophicalRamblings Yes it is, Magalie. I don't make the rules.

[@litiamomoivalu2827]

HAVING CHILDREN! IS A GIFT! FROM HE WHO HOLDS THE BREATH OF MAN! JESUS! THE KING OF KINGS! THE LORD OF LORDS!

[@alilydia8785]

The world really need to know God because when you know Him and what the bible says we will not have fears but trusting in Him whom formed us will he not take care of us. You can get to know what the bible says For God so loved the world that he gave His only beegotten son that whomsoever believeth in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. Say this prayer to accept the Lord into your life. Dear Lord Jesus i believe you died for me, i confess i am a sinner come into my life and be my Lord and personal saviour Amen. The light of Hod shines in your life. You live a blessed life. Amen.

[@MrSvenovitch]

you've been very well brainwashed, just as most subjected

[@alexing86]

All these people not wanting children are perfectly welcome to refrain. Anyway I consider them spoiled and superficial, lazy brats, so this kind of people don't make good parents. BUT... stop lecturing normal people (ie parents and peolple who want children) about the selfishness of having children (!!). That's the biological mission of every lifebeing out there... My blood line is not going dry and I couldn't care less about the planet

[@kitkat3155]

I’ve always wanted to be a mother but there are so many children out there that need a good home so I’m considering adoption when I’m much older, financially stable and have the time to give a child.

[@quinncreel6091]

Adoption is not the same as having your own bio child though. It is not the same experience, no matter what fantasists claim.

[@PhilosophicalRamblings]

Do not wait. This is nonsense. Jus because people FEEL like this does not make it justified scientifically or logically.

[@kitkat3155]

@@PhilosophicalRamblings what doesn’t make sense to me is when people have a bunch of children that they cannot afford and spend most of their time at work anyways.

[@faaaduma6876]

​@@quinncreel6091 There is no logic behind your statement. It obviously coming from emotional place.

[@quinncreel6091]

@@faaaduma6876 No logic? That's rich! An adopted child wasn't birthed by the people who look after them; this means they have nothing in common with their so-called "parents", or if they do, it's purely coincidental. They are not their flesh and blood. Their relationship is based on a fantasy and most people eventually come to realise that. All of this is facts, so what's not logical about it? Your criticism though is driven by emotions, 100%. lol

[@MCC876]

Think of it from the child’s perspective. No child asks to be born. All the pain and suffering and happiness your child will experience is your responsibility. Can you guarantee a good life to your child?

[@sethmorgenroth6784]

@Cosmic Lifeist It is wrong to create life.

[@MarioLopez-hb6li]

​@Cosmic Lifeist bringing a child to a world where we know for a fact that anything bad could happen to them and that they could be hurt by anyone, that they could have a miserable life of suffering. gambling with someone's life by giving birth knowing all this is not justifiable and people with stable socio economic conditions can live a life of suffering too. I'm not saying that you can't have kids, but i don't think it's justifiable.

[@AxeKick80]

@Cosmic Lifeist “However, if it’s bad to partake in the “gamble” due to the risk of harm, it’s also problematic to not do so due to the opportunity of great goods.” It isn’t problematic in the slightest. Problematic for who? “They” don’t exist, they don’t have any need for great opportunities or any needs at all, which they will either suffer to meet or suffer from not meeting. They have no problems. Problematic would be bringing them into existence and GIVING them problems. And it most assuredly is a gamble. You said most, not ALL people value their lives. And even if they do value their life, anything could happen at anytime to ruin any part of their life. And that valued life WILL be forcibly taken from them at some point, usually proceeded by a period of misery and decline of themselves and their friends and family and world they knew. So you’re giving someone this supposedly valuable thing only to wrest it away from them. But even that is irrelevant because the crux of the matter is that no one should be able to have the power to unilaterally put someone into existence who will then have no choice but to tow the line or suffer. You are forcing someone to deal with something, with the enormous responsibility and undertaking that is life, with no possible idea whether this is something they will have any inclination or even ability to do or handle. It’s unconscionable and it’s galling that so many people simply refuse to see it.

[@emmy4537]

@Cosmic Lifeist many people cry during funerals but many people still have the audacity to create more (eventual) funerals by procreating. there’s no guarantee your child won’t be born with any disease or disorder. bringing non-sentient beings into this f’d up world is nonsense. even if you’re rich and have a good life, you can’t guarantee your kid(s) will have a good life. if your child decides that they hate life then what? tough luck? gtfo. this is coming from someone who used to want their own biological kids one day.

[@krishnak7]

@cosmiclifeist4875 Good intention and relative stable socio-economic conditions are debatable and are relative. What parents feel about those may be the same what the kids will feel. If you decided to bring a child into the words, you are alone is responsible for whatever the pain, suffering pleasure that child will bare through out his/her life.

[@harpsailorharp6716gg]

No....i haven't had any ....im.48 ...free and can do whatever i want with no regrets ❤

[@iloname5007]

For example?

[@aleksandartrajanoski2508]

You are just another bot on this world anyways, with no heritage and no plan, timewaster!

[@wassimmahmoud7062]

good for you

[@meregaming1770]

No. They got me slaving away, not my kids.

[@hermanjones8001]

Im literally the last laborer in my family. #wage slavery ends with me

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

@@hermanjones8001 I SALUTE you! You SHOULD force government to PAY you as much as CEOs make, to minimize YOUR suffering as long as YOU exist.

[@emmy4537]

many people cry during funerals but many people still have the audacity to create more (eventual) funerals by procreating. there’s no guarantee your child won’t be born with any disease or disorder. bringing non-sentient beings into this f’d up world is nonsense. even if you’re rich and have a good life, you can’t guarantee your kid(s) will have a good life. if your child decides that they hate life then what? tough luck? gtfo. this is coming from someone who used to want their own biological kids one day.

[@ameygade1977]

Ditto

[@ameygade1977]

@@theultimatereductionist7592 Or they can force the CEOs not to have so much wealth accumulated so the inequality don’t increase 😊

[@cjalisyas]

THE BEST EXISTENCE IS NONE EXISTENCE. KNOW LIFE, KNOW PAIN. NO LIFE, NO PAIN. ANTINATALISM.

[@emmy4537]

based

[@PhilosophicalRamblings]

Mmmm ... yet you are still breathing? Not to mention the pure contrary nature of the comment ... hoping it is sarcasm but there are so many nutters around hard to tell haha!!

[@MrSvenovitch]

Humanity is over. It is always unethical to push life on sentient beings. And more and more people are starting to realise this. This temporary existence piramid game is not fun at all for a majority of people.

@Cosmic Lifeist Having a child only increases the Want, Consumption, and Grief in the world. There are no altruistic reasons to have a child.

[@bonnierobinson8684]

Why would anyone want to bring a child in to this mess Republicans are creating. If you are being forced to carry an unwanted child then you have lost your right to choose for yourself.

[@abdell75roussos]

If you are not having fun in the 21st cehntury west then you have brought it on yourself.

[@how-to-live-right]

Antinatalists will die with their ideas, so that people who think less about this will have children

[@PhilosophicalRamblings]

Based on what evidence?

[@janecafarella4947]

Very useful and interesting, but how much of climate change is the result of individual action compared to the actions or inactions of governments and industry who are motivated by greed and self-interest? Who really has the power here?

[@sirsurb]

the question should be: do kids want YOU!

[@olenatkachenko3171]

I live/ survive in Ukraine 💙💛and I am unsure about future either !

[@thoughtfulsteve6211]

It’s not responsible to bring a child into a dying world against its will with no humane escape hatch. Problem solved, no masters degrees or piano music required.

[@shwedagonpaya]

Excellent point.

[@marie.s9995]

Been waiting for this comment!!

[@s4099572]

What a load of crap, this is selfish and disgusting and self-scented you should be ashamed of yourself

[@s4099572]

Yes, very funny , 🤣 you and parents should decide whether the child should live.

[@abdell75roussos]

What utter shit. I wonder what a person 50, 100, 300, years ago would say about that in the world they lived in.

[@gardenjoy5223]

Personally, I chose to not have children. There are so many in the world already, that are suffering badly, also in richer countries. So, instead, I've been a foster parent. Over time I've shifted more and more to nature being more important than nurture, in raising children. We have tried to install many good traits in children, but we've seen over and over again, how they follow their original family's pathways. E.g. my last foster daughter didn't get pregnant as a teen. But she is utterly selfish, as is her birth mother. My last foster son is damaged by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and we hope to have saved the world from a mass murderer, since he was one big ball of aggression. Yet, he's still indifferent to others, mainly. Sigh. So, if two kindhearted people want children, I'd say: go for it. Pass on the GOOD GENES too! The future needs smart, responsible and compassionate people too. Nurses, teachers, scientists, doctors. If that's your family legacy, PLEASE REPRODUCE and train them well! The others will reproduce REGARDLESS and they'll only outnumber the good ones otherwise. The philosopher doesn't think these things through. You've taken someone with a very extreme view.

[@christinegangai1608]

That is the point though, isn't it? Our children will be brought into a world filled with increasingly with selfish, unintelligent and mentally unstable people as unfortunately they tend to breed carelessly and excessively due to their careless and selfish mentalities. The question is, Is it right to inflict that on them when we know what awaits them, almost certainly. The world changed so much, and for the worse, in the last 20 years, what about the next 20?

[@jeroendebruyne2165]

​@@christinegangai1608the world has never been a better place to live. Life expectancy, personal freedoms, poverty and malnutrition rates, ... The past was the worse!

[@olgabaruleva3228]

By nature, human babies can't survive without adults for many years, therefore, separation with parents is a huge unnatural thing - this is part of the nurture that they experienced - a trauma on mental and even physical level. Adopted kids have been severely traumatized, and help from a good psychologist or psychiatrist is often needed. Some events, teen pubertal behaviour can have unexpected reasons. For example, you are saying 'selfish like her birth mother' would be really painful to hear for your daughter (it is even a bit painful to read) and make you daughter not trust you. Some psychologists suggested never to blame birth parents. I think knowledge is a power anyway, just do some more research or consult with specialists. Good luck! I wish I had your courage)

[@gardenjoy5223]

@@olgabaruleva3228 Right, I've got all the knowledge I need. I AM the specialist. And that's how I know from all aspects. Why on earth would you think I TOLD one of my former foster daughters (thank heavens not my adoptive daughter), that she is selfish like her mother? I didn't. But I observed her on very many occasions. And I do know what I saw. She was and is like that from the age I know her (9). Of course we set a good example, we took her with us in helping others, we talked about the necessity of that, we corrected her when needed, spoke things through from all perspectives, etc. She could agree and even enjoy the activities. Yet, whenever it had to come out of her, she showed utter selfishness as a default. She's in her early twenties now. Never did I blame her birth mother. Merely, I explained what made life so difficult for her. We emphasized contact with her birth father, which was a nice, but weak man, as far as I can tell with undiagnosed FAS, and he got to enjoy developing real contact with his children, before he passed away, as a result of his own alcoholism. It's frustrating to see that also this apple didn't fall far from the tree. She took mostly after her mother. And how little I managed to achieve. Whenever I Really needed to get a thing through to her, the only thing that seemed to work a bit for the long term, was to take her viewpoint, to reason from utter selfish inklings. It's good, that my post makes people cringe a bit, for that's why I wrote it. People HAVE to be aware of the truth of things. Genes speak much louder than upbringing. It's hard work! She did relatively well. She has a good diploma and has a steady job. And she doesn't have children yet, by which we broke the cycle of getting pregnant too young. Overall, I did beyond expectation in raising her. Yet, there remain things to be desired, that go unfulfilled.

[@sellenis3]

​@olgabaruleva3228 Thank you for your comment!

[@taurus8263]

I really don't like the direction this world is heading. Regular people are poorer and poorer year by year, today's children already will have issues to have their own home. Probably they will never be able to afford it. Pollution is growing, population worldwide is growing like crazy and inequalities together with it. The earth can only support certain number of people. With more people, more pollution and of course more consumption. Rise in the AI being another factor, where more and more jobs will get gradually replaced by AI (already happening). Retirement age going up constantly, where I don't even know if I will live till my retirement. I decided long time ago that I don't want to bring a child into this messed up world.

[@jeroendebruyne2165]

What are you yourself stil doing around here?

[@iloname5007]

​@@jeroendebruyne2165using water and air for nothing

[@agnesagnes287]

the idea is thoughful. To make it even more thoughful, may consider to help in the pollution and reduce the time to use internet. Less electricity consumption, better for environment with actions.

[@ameygade1977]

I am 28 and childfree, will never have kids

[@PhilosophicalRamblings]

and?

[@belle3055]

Easy to say when you are a man, you can change your mind later, get a girl in her 20s or 30s and have a child. I’m a woman 😢I’m 27 years old what if I change my mind when I’m 35?

[@ameygade1977]

@@belle3055 a beautiful lady like you will have her options open till the age of 45. It is a different case that I won't change my mind

[@iloname5007]

​@@ameygade1977it is fine, we have enough of you

[@ameygade1977]

@@riceball100 I ain't freezing my eggs

[@CeravvvEgan]

There can’t be infinite growth on a finite planet with finite natural resources.

[@MrSvenovitch]

(Human) animals all throughout history have experienced this billions of times. Better it all stopped tomorrow, but the suffering will go on for a little bit longer 😵‍💫

[@pongop]

NO. There are too many people already. Stop having kids.

[@jeroendebruyne2165]

If you think there are too many people: you can reduce the number by one. Go for it

[@pongop]

@@jeroendebruyne2165 Ok but to double the impact I'm taking you with me

[@Sweet_Dae]

I am not surprise with the survey on Philippines. Having a family or kids here is a struggle. Wages doesn't meet up with the daily expenses as prices goes up. Like they say HR and Employer demands a lot on hiring people but the salary is below minimum. That's why many Filipinos work abroad to help their family.

[@ediccartman7252]

And still you usually have big families there , unlike rich Europe, where people en masse choose life for themselves

[@christinegangai1608]

I am, the Philippines has a very high birth rate, it's in the top half of countries with the highest in the world, higher than places like Pakistan and Haiti.

[@fionazerbst5771]

The maternal instinct passed me by, and I am so glad it did. Having kids in today's world doesn't seem like the best idea.

[@piotrniec9638]

!!!!!!!! Adaptation of children and renunciation of parental rights !!!!!!!!

[@alexing86]

Enjoy your cat

[@kristinapaxton9686]

@@alexing86 Sadly not original....

[@wassimmahmoud7062]

لِّلَّهِ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ يَخۡلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُۚ يَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ إِنَٰثًا وَيَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ٱلذُّكُورَ To Allah ˹alone˺ belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates whatever He wills. He blesses whoever He wills with daughters, and blesses whoever He wills with sons, أَوۡ يُزَوِّجُهُمۡ ذُكۡرَانًا وَإِنَٰثًاۖ وَيَجۡعَلُ مَن يَشَآءُ عَقِيمًاۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌ قَدِيرٌ or grants both, sons and daughters, ˹to whoever He wills˺, and leaves whoever He wills infertile. He is indeed All-Knowing, Most Capable. Whatever he wills happens, and whatever He does not will does not happen. He gives to whomsoever He wills and withholds from whomsoever he wills; none can withhold what He gives, and none can give what He withholds, and He creates whatever He wills.

[@sukiwilkins1004]

There are so many children that already exist. I hope people start talking more about adoption and everyone who is considering this question, seriously considers adoption as one of their possible options.

[@felixpope6073]

Adoption is the most terrible path, I have been trying to adopt a kid since 3 years. There are many many obstacles costs, etc etc. And guess what I am still waiting

[@hopanoga]

​@@felixpope6073fully agree, people have an outdated view that there are tons of children for adoption but nowadays its a lot easier to keep your child (which is a great thing). Its not easy to adopt, aside from the emotional burden there are many other considerations.

[@lilac624]

Agree with you

[@Truthseeker371]

😂 Fostering is another option.

[@dreamcore]

Overwhelmingly the third and fourth world, though.

[@SidAmadeusRyan]

If I were rich , I would have adopted a kid (more than 1)without going to marriage and without having any dirty practical sex shit 🤮 in my life keeping my virginity intact ( I feel regretful to express the Truth that way 🙄) , I would have appointed some Mary Poppins type mistress to raise them properly so that I can have a cheerful dinner at home after work, and go holidays 😁.Who needs to tackle complexity of Life. No midlife crisis, instead of spending money on jewels , I can spend it raise some bright futures, and have fun . Legecy .... What is a legecy, a seed of which the tree you will never get a chance to see . No hassle , clean psychology with freedom. 😇🎉 . A lot of benefits that could be written , you will get tired to read it . 😂

[@MarionPetterson]

I'm from Latin America and is so sad to realize that the norm around here is that people don't even ask themselves this questions and plan families, it feels that at least around half the population here just get drunk dancing reggaeton and reproduce like 🐒 without any plans

[@iLilith11]

That's very wrong 😕 poor kids

[@hayleyfay4779]

Its fine.. by the time your peers wake up Europe and Asia will be an older population.. so they can import you youth

[@MarionPetterson]

@@hayleyfay4779 I don't think they'll be happy to import unqualified highschool drop outs without any qualifications and 4 children.. it sounds more like a possible extra load on the benefits system if they invite them to Europe. I'm convinced that sadly we are on our way to a future like the one portrait on the movie Idiocracy

[@100kgpanda]

If there is happiness in that, then that too is life. I think it's unnecessary help, but I'm praying that you can find happiness for you.

[@hayleyfay4779]

@@MarionPetterson europe has benefitted more than they could ever pay back from Africa . They should take the youth . I find it condensing that you assume they UNEDUCATED .

[@josephinenilsson1541]

The world is dying. We are literally killing off life on this planet. I’m worried about my own future, and I’m just over 30, imagine having a kid to worry about too? My retirement plan is suicide. Not because of depression, but because of climate change. It has robbed everyone under 60 of their future. Why would I give birth to a child with no future?

[@saifmakki4471]

Really 😊

[@ruairievans]

The world is not dying though it is getting damaged.

[@ruairievans]

Also, you can't simply say all under 60's have their future ruined as each individual will have different lives. And as much as things are bad, suicide is not the answer.

[@josephinenilsson1541]

@ruairievans431 The only thing I gather from your response is you haven’t actually read the climate reports and don’t realize how bad it is. I live in Scandinavia, one of the regions in the world far better off to still be livable in a few decades. The thing is, when Scandinavia. Canada, Siberia and some other parts of Russia are basically the only livable places left in a few decades, and all of the world are competing for that space and whatever resources are left there, do you really think the nation states we have today will withstand that? We will start seeing society collapse in a couple of decades or so. And once that happens, I honestly don’t see what will be left to live for. Not for myself, others may feel differently. I don’t believe in survival at all cost for myself. Life needs to have quality to be worth living, and when hopes for the future and for building a better world disappears there is no quality left to be had, not for me anyway. So yes, my retirement plan is suicide. Yes, it will be the answer when it gets that bad. Read the latest climate report, then come back and tell me I’m wrong.

[@safeeIlmudeen-vz3nh]

@@josephinenilsson1541 The future looks uncertain, do u still hold onto the belief of no hope. Then why are people breeding and starting families if there no future left. How long do you see yourself living for. sad times ahead, yet people are breeding its really unbelievable, how many are clueless on the coming years.

[@jd18285]

Netflix movie 'Dont Look Up' is the perfect example of humanity's current state and how we are dealing with this question. Sitting in a car heading for cliff, do I want my child sitting in that car?

[@PhilosophicalRamblings]

YES! Same thing was mentioned in the 70's regarding food shortages ... and yet there was no mass famine. Now is THE most stable period for living a fulfilling life in all human history. The ATTITUDES people have towards humanity needs to change. We are nature as much as anything else BUT we have a greater consciousness (that appears little used by some).

[@jeroendebruyne2165]

Can you give me a time and place when you think it WAS a good idea to have kids?

[@MrSvenovitch]

@@jeroendebruyne2165 dat was het nooit, is het niet en zal het nooit zijn

[@sharonli3452]

...............the only factor this video looks at is climate change ?! I am pretty sure there are way more immediate factors related to child birth.

[@lin90210]

I'm getting on a bit. I wished I could find some one to spend my life with and have children. It hasn't happened yet. There is still time but I'm leaving it to fate. Yes climate change is an issue. We have to change it. We also have an aging population in the UK and around the world so in a way children will save our population. Pros and cons

[@Dragumix]

If you want to have children, try to adopt children.

[@kwijebo]

exactly

[@quinncreel6091]

Adoption is not the same as having your own bio child though. It is not the same experience, no matter what fantasists claim.

[@how-to-live-right]

there not enough babies to adopt, 1 baby for 30 parents

[@Dragumix]

@@how-to-live-right Yet there are still a lot of children in the orphanages. I think that it shouldn't be more difficult to be granted the right to adopt a child than to be granted the right to procreate. Adoption must become easier and you should at least fullfill some basic qualifications for procreation (like e. g. not being a drug addict) - but I am still against procreation in general.

[@Dragumix]

@@quinncreel6091 Do you realize that it's very selfish to have a biological child for this reason?

[@DilsiriWelikala]

Wow, thanks for this. Hi from Sri Lanka. I also think we can adopt if you want to have children. That might be a good solution and a very humane thing to do right.....

[@pastelmoon9118]

most of the people are way too egoistic to adopt which I find so weird.. when it comes to dogs or animals in generally... people are like " oh noo dont support breeders! so cruel! ADOPT AND SAVE A LIFE " then people doesnt have the same mindset when it comes to human kids......... " eww its not my lineage, I want mini me " then there are kids that end up being victims to human trafficking etc OR no one say oh you are so cruel when you marry cousins ( consequences of inbreeding...) or have biological kids when you know parents has serious deceases that is going to impact the kid.... lol

[@N1_GAMEPLAYS_ofc]

When i was 24 years old i though the same, but when i was 32 i became preagment of my only son. He is 8 years old and my sunshine, my own, the light of my eyes.

[@MrSvenovitch]

my this, my that, my my my. You sum up the average human nicely...🤔

[@ekaterinazakharova779]

Happy to read happy comment in this list of obsessive neurotic people. Be happy ❤❤❤

[@wassimmahmoud7062]

لِّلَّهِ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ يَخۡلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُۚ يَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ إِنَٰثًا وَيَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ٱلذُّكُورَ To Allah ˹alone˺ belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates whatever He wills. He blesses whoever He wills with daughters, and blesses whoever He wills with sons, أَوۡ يُزَوِّجُهُمۡ ذُكۡرَانًا وَإِنَٰثًاۖ وَيَجۡعَلُ مَن يَشَآءُ عَقِيمًاۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌ قَدِيرٌ or grants both, sons and daughters, ˹to whoever He wills˺, and leaves whoever He wills infertile. He is indeed All-Knowing, Most Capable. Whatever he wills happens, and whatever He does not will does not happen. He gives to whomsoever He wills and withholds from whomsoever he wills; none can withhold what He gives, and none can give what He withholds, and He creates whatever He wills.

[@lenkamuhammadova1463]

All the best for your family 😊.

[@hyeinjeon1487]

Do you have a baby for yourself or for baby? I guess in most cases, people have a baby for themselves.

[@Go2Serenity]

Yes, for their ego and because of money. In germany, if you born a child, you would have social pension as well and woman do not need to work fulltime. It is so ideal theory.

[@RebekkaGerman]

And what is the definition of having a baby for baby?

[@yecang5741]

I am pregnant and decided to have it . I don’t want to make it disappear. It is the second child.If the future environment is tough, she/ he still have someone to rely on when we are dead. If the future is good, they will have a colorful life. I myself won’t want to be a human with the next turn. They decide where to go when they can make a choice.

[@ahmadaljazeeri9287]

I cannot watch the video with those circles going round and round. They distract me from hearing and make my head spin!

[@Gingnose]

Why there are no aliens out there? You know the *answer*

[@liteviews4493]

@Cosmic Lifeist looking at your replies, you really do put joys on very high pedestal, don't you?......a non existant being don't give a fuck about joys or beauty or anything for that matter.....stop applying what you value in your life to everyone.....joys of life don't last very long, while pain and suffering do and it also damages the psyche for a very very long time........the things you call joys are just temporary reliefs from the ongoing suffering and i believe are present so we can feel the suffering even harshly by thinking of the good times. Kids don't ask to be born and when they do and they don't like it, what's the other choice for them??? Suicide? The thing that is illegal in many countries? The thing that is very painful both psychologically and physically! Y'all want to gamble so badly even though the reality says that your child would suffer numerous times all throughout their life. You're not gambling with some money, but someone's life...it is always morally wrong to gamble with other beings life no matter what you brainwash yourself into thinking otherwise. I saw you trying very hard to justify your decision or future decision....just know that, you're wrong about procreation no matter how you sugarcoat it.

[@hayleyfay4779]

The greenest gift you can give this beautiful planet is not have children. There was enough for all beings when there were 3/4 billion humans. Now most animals are on the extinction list 😢😢😢😢

[@PhilosophicalRamblings]

Gibberish. With no people there is no one to enjoy life. Scary how popular an illogical such as anti-natalism has taken such a grip.

[@CeravvvEgan]

That and eating plant based diet. Animal agriculture is responsible for mass extinction, ocean dead zones and acidification, soil degradation etc.

[@ivanosipov4146]

How to trade cryptocurrency🥰

[@smithwez1101]

British video, skip ahead 5 minutes to get to the point.

[@nilinamiriam7092]

I didn't quite get this one tbh. It sounded like having less kids would be an economic strain. But reduced pressure on the environment and it's resources still?

[@hyeinjeon1487]

If Instagram will be disappeard, i will have one.

[@LalaLand-pp4he]

This is the very question my friends and I am discussing and thinking about. We tend to not to have one.

[@abdell75roussos]

Other cultures and religions are having children. It will be interesting to see what happens.

[@gardenjoy5223]

Personally, I chose to not have children. There are so many in the world already, that are suffering badly, also in richer countries. So, instead, I've been a foster parent. Over time I've shifted more and more to nature being more important than nurture, in raising children. We have tried to install many good traits in children, but we've seen over and over again, how they follow their original family's pathways. E.g. my last foster daughter didn't get pregnant as a teen. But she is utterly selfish, as is her birth mother. My last foster son is damaged by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and we hope to have saved the world from a mass murderer, since he was one big ball of aggression. Yet, he's still indifferent to others, mainly. Sigh. So, if two kindhearted people want children, I'd say: go for it. Pass on the GOOD GENES too! The future needs smart, responsible and compassionate people too. Nurses, teachers, scientists, doctors. If that's your family legacy, PLEASE REPRODUCE and train them well! The others will reproduce REGARDLESS and they'll only outnumber the good ones otherwise. Just my stance on things.

[@aleksandartrajanoski2508]

Bots don't prefer kids, they prefer staying alone like a lost sheep

[@wassimmahmoud7062]

لِّلَّهِ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ يَخۡلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُۚ يَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ إِنَٰثًا وَيَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ٱلذُّكُورَ To Allah ˹alone˺ belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates whatever He wills. He blesses whoever He wills with daughters, and blesses whoever He wills with sons, أَوۡ يُزَوِّجُهُمۡ ذُكۡرَانًا وَإِنَٰثًاۖ وَيَجۡعَلُ مَن يَشَآءُ عَقِيمًاۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌ قَدِيرٌ or grants both, sons and daughters, ˹to whoever He wills˺, and leaves whoever He wills infertile. He is indeed All-Knowing, Most Capable. Whatever he wills happens, and whatever He does not will does not happen. He gives to whomsoever He wills and withholds from whomsoever he wills; none can withhold what He gives, and none can give what He withholds, and He creates whatever He wills.

[@mattclarke6117]

Mike Judge simulated this demographic strategy indirectly in the 2006 film Idiocracy...I can't wait for the first season of "Ow My Balls!" If you are having this debate, you have a responsibility to have children as the world needs people with more introspection and consideration.

[@CeravvvEgan]

Now well into my 40s I’m so happy with my decision not to have kids. I’m an older sister, cousin, aunt, and future adopted granny hopefully 😊 ive been able to help and financially contribute towards my nieces upbringing and help other causes. I’ve travelled the world, and have a career, home, great social life and feel fulfilled and at peace. I’m not leaving anyone to an uncertain future, and I can help those who are already here and need help.

[@CZARNicholas-ht9dq]

You have a lot of nothing except cope

[@lim5212]

If an absence of pleasure can't affect non-existing people because they are not existing, then how can they benefit from absence of pain? They are not 'existing' so it is impossible to benefit... I think the statement is fundamentally wrong, assuming the view of what does not exist.

[@BakanoJutsu]

David feels like someone who watched Rick and Morty and thought "Nihilism is pretty cool!" without completely understanding it

[@semprefedeli6729]

Having kids is a challenge, especially nowadays life's so complicated. You need to be courageous, since bringing them up requires a strength not everybody has.. Yet, I do agree with those saying that's mostly a matter of wanting them. I simply chose not to have any!

[@ediccartman7252]

So you basically decided to die in loneliness, your choice what can I say

[@semprefedeli6729]

@@ediccartman7252 Yes, what you say is true, but in my opinion deciding to have kids just because you do not want "to die alone" as you say, may be seen as selfish. I didn't exactly say that, because life is complicated nowadays you had better not have kids, merely saying you can understand those who do not feel like having them. I have seen people "die alone" because their younger relatives or children didn't seem to care much about them or they have decided to go live thousands of miles away from them. Honestly this can't be a reasonable point you're making. Then everyone does as they see it is best for them!

[@ediccartman7252]

@@semprefedeli6729 that's true - everyone does what's best for them. I personally don't see anything wrong with not wanting do die alone. It's nothing to do with selfishness, human being is a social animal in its nature, and you should have smb. who you can share your thoughts and troubles with ( even those you can't share with your friends). And I'm sorry for being rude, but saying life is complicated is position of a weak person. Nobody promised, life is gonna be easy. And saying life is complicated, is just an excuse for doing nothing and unwillingness to change smth in yourself .

[@jeroendebruyne2165]

Finally a fair and reasonable reaction. If you don't want kids, fine! I hope you go d meaning and joy in your life in another way 🤗

[@semprefedeli6729]

@@jeroendebruyne2165 thanks, I perfectly understand that the purpose of life is getting married and have kids. One thing is having this clear in your mind, quite another is doing things simply because "this is the right thing to do" when you don't feel like it 🙂👋

[@mahbubeshhhh19]

In middle east the story beyond the climate change . Climate change of one reasons. Why women dont want to have kid. Absolutley im talking about my country Iran not the arab countries . They make babeis more and more at least 5 to7 kids😅. Im 34 and after 4 years marriage recently my husband and i thinking about it. Should we have baby or not ? And we have decided we wont in our country unfortunately but in other country maby if we have a chance to immigration .

[@KS-uh3ld]

I haven’t heard birth rate is declining in Japan due to the issue of climate change. It actually comes from gender inequality, which sounds an old fashioned and stereotyped cause but we haven’t resolved it yet. We have the same problem on the planet that we might not have children for their future, but the reason is totally different from this program’s viewpoint.

[@romikim4548]

Having children is getting expensive for normal people.

[@felixpope6073]

Why not have less people with less worries. Why do we bring so many to this world and teach them not to consume not to travel etc etc

[@35ozgur]

no for me

[@dukeallen432]

No

[@tarzanbillionaire2196]

if somebody from developed country. just move and live at developing country. much cheaper and adventure

[@AuthorBooksReader]

Women who choose not to have a child must be awarded- Sadguru Lots of respect to all the women who choose not to have a child, it is the highest form of devotion to the world.

[@hautecouture2228]

Yes and the highest form of satanism

[@tamaratroublemaker2568]

we wqill burn in hell

[@codelessunlimited7701]

Yea and it is so easy. Just get a pills and grind all over again. Then wonder they are lonely when they hit 40s 50s. Then they commit suicide, end of a good story of a feminist. 😅😂

[@DarlingDarleen]

@@codelessunlimited7701 Another delusional incel.

[@hautecouture2228]

@@dot347 one does not have to be Christian to see that promotion of depopulation is evil. Especially when this is mainly targeted to ethnic European women. The only babies the evil elites want them to have are mulato babies. Just look at the advertising where in 99% of commercials White women are paired with blacks. How dumb do they think we are?

[@marianasalles242]

Noooo! Enough humans on the 🌏

[@DragonFruit4]

@DragonFruit4 0 секунд назад Look, I don't mean that climate change is not important, but... OPEN YOUR EYES! Thousands of people are killed in Ukraine, Jemen and Gaza! Really thousands of them are injured, don't have homes, many of them are starving... Will we someday go outside our bubble of comfort? Will we take care of those not privilleged to born in developed democracies? Will we ask them what THEY THINK is the most important problem of today?

[@DragonFruit4]

It's very easy to fight against the enemy you can not see like climate change. No one can say for sure whether we are losing or winning the battle. But budgets for preventing it are very real and growing.

[@BBCWorldService]

Subscribe to our channel here: kzbin.info

[@MrRobertFarr]

Okay.

[@35ozgur]

İ cant.afford feeding myself properly children need quality food education I live in turkey we live in heaven but menegment sucks

[@wassimmahmoud7062]

لِّلَّهِ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ يَخۡلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُۚ يَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ إِنَٰثًا وَيَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ٱلذُّكُورَ To Allah ˹alone˺ belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates whatever He wills. He blesses whoever He wills with daughters, and blesses whoever He wills with sons, أَوۡ يُزَوِّجُهُمۡ ذُكۡرَانًا وَإِنَٰثًاۖ وَيَجۡعَلُ مَن يَشَآءُ عَقِيمًاۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌ قَدِيرٌ or grants both, sons and daughters, ˹to whoever He wills˺, and leaves whoever He wills infertile. He is indeed All-Knowing, Most Capable. Whatever he wills happens, and whatever He does not will does not happen. He gives to whomsoever He wills and withholds from whomsoever he wills; none can withhold what He gives, and none can give what He withholds, and He creates whatever He wills.

[@Caminitodehormigas]

I have felt the desire to be a mom. I know it’s probably the animal instinct to reproduce, but i also think it’s a whim. Parenthood is not something that should only be done out of desire, it must be taken into account that to live in this world you have to pay. Life is not right, it is a lie. I don’t want my children to have to pay for food, health, education, even a place to live. I feel like it would be a tottally selfish act on my part to bring that creature into this broken society. I think the greatest act of love i can give him/her is not bringing them into this world.

[@yutongmeng3621]

I'm 30 now, and my only thought every day is just to take care of myself and not to bring any trouble to others, so don't want to others to bother me as well...(I mean children)

[@user-wh9jm1sv6w]

What if the child born is not according to your mind needs ? Then what should you do as a father or mother ? 😂

[@valeriyabaradulina4413]

Justification for having more children presented here from societal pov is population aging and governmental need to keep the economy afloat, when the elderly people can not work anymore. At the same time AI is considered a threat for cutting number of people needed in the economy. Maybe we could let machines do major part of work, so reduction of number of children per family in favor of quality of their education and mindfulness wouldn't look that bad? I think we've reached the point of converting extensive demographical development into intensive technological one.

[@Vivienwestphal]

"Own nothing, don't travel, don't eat meat, and MAYBE you'll be deserving enough to have a child." ☠️

[@IvonneAndreaRiveraTorres]

The question should be: can you afford to have a kid ?

[@abdell75roussos]

"....It’s not responsible to bring a child into a dying world against its will with no humane escape hatch. Problem solved, no masters degrees or piano music required...." Other cultures do. Sounds like an excuse not too. The world has always faced wars and famine, and we are richer now than ever.

[@ediccartman7252]

Exactly. If u wanna get advice, just listen to mass media, and do the opposite

[@KatieReissTolliver]

Why does everybody like the world is so bad it is not, it is the best it has ever been with all the recent technology we didn’t have in the past

[@abdell75roussos]

@@KatieReissTolliver You will find that the human brain thrives on negativity. There is so much wrong with not having children, i would not know where to start. Gern Z are simply not going to be capable of being parents either.if they ever grew up that is.

[@claudiamanta1943]

Some people might be richer but how about the quality of life? Is it a good standard of living to work like a dog in a stupid job in order to earn money for a roof about your head and to afford a drunken holiday in the sunshine?

[@abdell75roussos]

@@claudiamanta1943 Can you answer why it is that in other countries/culture/religions in the UK have multiple children then?

[@aistrajzsa6876]

Does anyone seriously say I'm not gonna have kids cos of what is going on in Africa on BBC news. Lol what a joke.

[@T1Oracle]

If you have any doubts, then don't.

[@jasonjason1196]

I think it's a mistake to talk to David, the philosopher.. 😅

[@MuratDagcan]

Rodriguez James Lewis William Williams Carol

[@ViolaBeranova-b5k]

Удачи тебе в будущим играх, брат! Мы все в тебя верим)

[@bocphot911]

I dun wanna have a baby. But im having now. With me just 1 n forever. It’s enough. 18 yrs sacrifice n stuck n teach a new angel… it’s pressure on me (financial, job, daily life). Im trying to get out of Rat race trap of USA system. Poor maternity benefit n mom-to-be. I have no reason n motivate to create many babies. I rather to be alone than bring them here. Dun think they live ok u will be ok… poor thinking. If u have no money, u must receive poor service which gov sets up for u. “Cheap coin cheap thing” Ur children is educated in low quality. U think they will be successful. Show me who is successful from poor quality life. 😂

[@doganozkan2231]

Women are human now,they have the right to choose

[@alichesa]

I have 3 children. All if them are healthy. I have never regretted. Of course as there are five of us in the family we can not afford to spend much money by travelling, going out to have diner or buying Taylor Swift last gig concert, but I feel I m really lucky so far. A big responsability, a big challenge, but the feedback is the best you can have

[@m.s.1715]

No don't. They are too much work and well having them is fulfilling, ignorance is bliss. You don't know what you're missing and in the end what they give balances out to the difficulty/stress they cause. So it's basically a wash in my mind. But I do have a challenging child with ADHD. So maybe my opinion would be different if I had a different child.