This is an interesting discussion. Just wanted to add a couple of thoughts.
First off, let's not assume that Janice was trying to be offensive! C'mon. Having been on the receiving end of being accused of deliberately offending others here, I hope we can remember to give our fellow Catheities the benefit of the doubt. I've also been guilty of jumping on people for *their* posts and I do regret that. Anyhoo, to the topic at hand
I am happily childless by choice. I'm also 100 percent in favor of good and decent people having large families simply because good and decent people tend to have good and decent kids. World could use more of 'em. In fact, I've always been impressed with the parents on this board, so I say, get to it, fit people. Let's have more Cathe babies :+ Seriously though, if people want large families and have the emotional, financial, and mental means to take care of them, why not?
Also, just wanted to comment momentarily on the popular (in the world, not this board) notion that people who choose not to have children are by definition more self-absorbed than people who procreate. My decision not to have children was one of the least selfish and self-absorbed decisions I have made. It wasn't as if I said, "well I want to go hang-gliding this weekend so I guess I'll skip the baby thing." I'm not immune to the joys of raising children, I just know in my heart that for me the joys would not be enough to counteract the negatives.
Sparrow
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
First off, let's not assume that Janice was trying to be offensive! C'mon. Having been on the receiving end of being accused of deliberately offending others here, I hope we can remember to give our fellow Catheities the benefit of the doubt. I've also been guilty of jumping on people for *their* posts and I do regret that. Anyhoo, to the topic at hand
I am happily childless by choice. I'm also 100 percent in favor of good and decent people having large families simply because good and decent people tend to have good and decent kids. World could use more of 'em. In fact, I've always been impressed with the parents on this board, so I say, get to it, fit people. Let's have more Cathe babies :+ Seriously though, if people want large families and have the emotional, financial, and mental means to take care of them, why not?
Also, just wanted to comment momentarily on the popular (in the world, not this board) notion that people who choose not to have children are by definition more self-absorbed than people who procreate. My decision not to have children was one of the least selfish and self-absorbed decisions I have made. It wasn't as if I said, "well I want to go hang-gliding this weekend so I guess I'll skip the baby thing." I'm not immune to the joys of raising children, I just know in my heart that for me the joys would not be enough to counteract the negatives.
Sparrow
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage