What motivates people to have children?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the various motivations behind why people choose to have children, including both conscious and unconscious reasons. It touches on personal experiences, societal expectations, and emotional connections, as well as the implications of parenting on individual identity and legacy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that evolutionary instincts drive the desire to reproduce, while others mention personal feelings of readiness or the need to fill a void in their lives.
  • There are claims that some people wish to recreate their own family experiences or feel a connection to future generations.
  • One participant notes that external pressures, such as parental expectations, can influence the decision to have children.
  • Several participants express mixed feelings about parenting, highlighting both the joys of shaping a child's life and the challenges that come with it.
  • Some participants mention that having children can provide a sense of immortality or legacy, while others argue that they do not share this desire.
  • There are contrasting views on the nature of love and attachment to children, with some expressing a strong emotional bond and others feeling indifferent or even negative towards children.
  • Pets are discussed as an alternative to children, with some participants suggesting that they can fulfill similar emotional needs without the complications of parenting.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the motivations for having children, with no clear consensus. Some agree on certain emotional aspects, while others present conflicting views on the desirability and implications of parenthood.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect personal experiences and subjective feelings, which may not be universally applicable. The discussion includes varied perspectives on the emotional and practical aspects of parenting, as well as the role of societal expectations.

  • #31
jimmy p said:
you arent allowed to take me seriously...
:biggrin: :biggrin:
 
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  • #32
jimmy p said:
you arent allowed to take me seriously...


sorry that i did take you seriously :redface: if your post was meant as a joke, i can dig :biggrin:
 
  • #33
dont worry, everything i say is a joke, that is why people don't usually listen to me :(
 
  • #34
zoobyshoe said:
Im really not sure why anyone has kids. The thought of anyone wanting to willingly undertake this amount of responsability, risk, and constant work astonishes me.

oh, dear. Then I guess this is the worst possible time to tell you I'm carrying our love-child, Zooby. Remember that night when you were bartending and you kept pouring those pitchers of Flying Zoobies? :biggrin:
 
  • #35
Math Is Hard said:
oh, dear. Then I guess this is the worst possible time to tell you I'm carrying our love-child, Zooby. Remember that night when you were bartending and you kept pouring those pitchers of Flying Zoobies? :biggrin:
Concieved under the influence of Flying Zoobies it will float even in a 1G environment, like the NASA space baby.
 

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