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Kid Crazy: Why We Exaggerate the Joys of Parenthood (sick article)
Time ^ | March 4, 2011 | John Cloud

Posted on 03/08/2011 10:54:33 AM PST by dawn53

All parents know that having kids is a blessing — except when it's a nightmare of screaming fits, diapers, runny noses, wars over bedtimes and homework and clothes. To say nothing of bills too numerous to list. Some economists have argued that having kids is an economically silly investment; after all, it's cheaper to hire end-of-life care than to raise a child. Now comes new research showing that having kids is not only financially foolish but that kids literally make parents delusional.

Researchers have known for some time that parents with minors who live at home report feeling calm significantly less often than than people who don't live with young children. Parents are also angrier and more depressed than nonparents — and each additional child makes them even angrier. Couples who choose not to have kids also have better, more satisfying marriages than couples who have kids. (More on Time.com: 5 Pregnancy Taboos Explained (or Debunked))

To be sure, all such evidence will never outweigh the desire to procreate, which is one of the most powerfully encoded urges built into our DNA. But a new paper shows that parents fool themselves into believing that having kids is more rewarding than it actually is. It turns out parents are in the grip of a giant illusion.

(Excerpt) Read more at healthland.time.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: children; moralabsolutes; parenting
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To: dawn53

I mostly agree with the author. I find people all the time having children and not realizing what they are getting into. We would be better off if everyone realized what raising a child entails and if they asked themselves if they can fulfill those responsibilities.


21 posted on 03/08/2011 11:10:41 AM PST by Catphish
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To: Tulane

Funny how everyone who is FOR ‘no questions asked’ ABORTIONS, and NOT HAVING ANY CHILDREN AT ALL, have ALREADY BEEN BORN.


22 posted on 03/08/2011 11:10:55 AM PST by UCANSEE2 (Lame and ill-informed post.)
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To: dawn53

How many parents, deep deep down, wish that their kids were never born? I think that the answer is ZERO, or close to it. To me, this is irrefutable evidence of the benefits of parenting.


23 posted on 03/08/2011 11:11:02 AM PST by dinoparty
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To: dawn53

Maybe the author is right. His parents should never have CONCEIVED him.


24 posted on 03/08/2011 11:12:22 AM PST by UCANSEE2 (Lame and ill-informed post.)
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To: KansasGirl
Nothing has brought more joy into my life than my children. There is no sacrifice I would not make for them. Most parents would agree. The author obviously does not have any children.

That's our sentiment exactly. Don't have grandkids yet, but from what my friends tell me...it gets better still once they come along :)

25 posted on 03/08/2011 11:12:35 AM PST by dawn53
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To: dawn53

wow, raising children is hard? No kidding...that’s what makes it great.


26 posted on 03/08/2011 11:13:21 AM PST by Troublemaker
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To: andy58-in-nh

The world would be a better place if his parents (and all liberal parents) had believed this.


27 posted on 03/08/2011 11:14:49 AM PST by techcor (I hope Obama succeeds, in being a one term president.)
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To: Obadiah
I knew it. I just knew the writer was a homosexual.

It was almost my first thought when I read the article. When I looked up his bio, it didn't take too long to confirm.

28 posted on 03/08/2011 11:15:01 AM PST by andy58-in-nh (America does not need to be organized: it needs to be liberated.)
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To: dawn53
it's cheaper to hire end-of-life care than to raise a child

And in your last days, I'm sure it is very comforting to know that not a damn person in the world cares about you, and wouldn't do a thing for you, if not for the money.

29 posted on 03/08/2011 11:15:01 AM PST by Minn
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To: dawn53

Comparing having children to fixing up an old car that never works is just sick and twisted. I guess I am too far gone to realize how stupid I am to keep having children. /s

By the way, I don’t know what other people are spending on their kids but mine are pretty reasonable to have around.


30 posted on 03/08/2011 11:15:52 AM PST by samiam1972 ("It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."-Mother Teresa)
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To: andy58-in-nh
Actually, this article exposes the thinking Required to be part of the current libertarian movement.

If you value life or children more than this, you won't fit in.

This is why the libertarian candidates push abortion.

31 posted on 03/08/2011 11:15:58 AM PST by MrEdd (Heck? Geewhiz Cripes, thats the place where people who don't believe in Gosh think they aint going.)
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To: andy58-in-nh

Sounds more “liberal” (and extremely so) not really “libertarian”.


32 posted on 03/08/2011 11:16:41 AM PST by darkangel82 (I don't have a superiority complex, I'm just better than you.)
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To: justice14

[Getting married in June]

Congratulations, and I hope you enjoy a long lifetime of love and happiness!


33 posted on 03/08/2011 11:16:44 AM PST by KansasGirl
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To: Sopater

bttt


34 posted on 03/08/2011 11:16:58 AM PST by BenLurkin (This post is not a statement of fact. It is merely a personal opinion -- or humor -- or both)
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To: dawn53
Wow, well I missed that

No you didn't. I'll take the slam for being redundant, though I felt it had to be said.

35 posted on 03/08/2011 11:17:49 AM PST by UCANSEE2 (Lame and ill-informed post.)
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To: Catphish

Do you have kids? I would agree that alot of people don’t understand what it entails going in, and I wonder how that can be since they had to know the struggles experienced by their parents during their own upbringing. But the fun, satisfaction, joy, gratification from parenting makes the sacrifices (especially the monetary ones) so worth it, IMO.


36 posted on 03/08/2011 11:18:15 AM PST by dawn53
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To: Troublemaker
Raising kids is supposed to be hard. If you're doing it any way close to right, it forces you to grow up, deal with frustration, develop patience, overcome adversity, and draws you closer to your spouse.
37 posted on 03/08/2011 11:18:47 AM PST by andy58-in-nh (America does not need to be organized: it needs to be liberated.)
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To: justice14

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. :) I won’t have that Time trash in the house either.


38 posted on 03/08/2011 11:18:55 AM PST by darkangel82 (I don't have a superiority complex, I'm just better than you.)
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To: Catphish
I find people all the time having children getting married and not realizing what they are getting into. We would be better off if everyone realized what raising a child being married entails and if they asked themselves if they can fulfill those responsibilities.
39 posted on 03/08/2011 11:21:17 AM PST by UCANSEE2 (Lame and ill-informed post.)
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To: dawn53

Wow. I wonder how economists factored in the fact that when people get older, they can look at their kids and have no doubt that they accomplished something meaningful with their lives.


40 posted on 03/08/2011 11:23:29 AM PST by TN4Liberty (My tagline disappeared so this is my new one.)
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