Posted on 08/17/2005 2:56:58 PM PDT by Constitutionalist Conservative
So marriage itself is not proof that a man was in an irrational state of mind?
There are immediate benefits to having children. They make you humble. They push you to be more than you ever thought you could be, because they challenge you. They allow you to do childish things again, without feeling stupid about doing them. (When is the last time you finger painted, played with play dough or built a fort or snow man?) Having children is in some ways a refresher course in the greatest simple joys in life.
No, it is not. Character matters.
And this is why you decided to talk to me?
Quite correct. There are almost always warning signs...but a lot of people marry a certain set of physical or financial attributes and ignore or choose to overlook the character of the individual.
The seeds of most of these bad divorce outcomes were sown before the marriage ever took place.
Sure, I don't have a problem with people having children because of immediate benefits. That is when one should find whatever benefits you expect.
My objection is to the idea that people should have children so that we can turn them into de facto slaves when they become adults. There are many people on FR that view children as little more than future adults to suck taxes from or to serve them in their dotage. It is a pretty sick view, but a lot of people have it.
Excellent analysis!
Monday morning quarterbacking.
Especially that with the new free market borderless global economy having and raising children became obsolete. We can the import new generations of Americans from the Third World countries at the fraction of effort and expense.
we have more young people then ever living in their parent's basements. these single-adult households are likely the result of the high divorce rate - the wife gets the house, and ex-husband has to live someplace.
This also reflects the aging population, with a larger proportion of widows and widowers.
You make an excellent point. Being a parent isn't for everyone. And most generations of people became parents for the exact reasons you stated. That doesn't mean they didn't love their children, but their actions came from self-interest. Arranged marriages, indentured servitude, and child labor of the past prove that.
People who raise children and do a good job deserve commendation and support, but that doesn't mean that everyone should do it.
Unlike most married folks, they're not asking for handouts, or special tax breaks to support them.
By your standard, every single responsible parent is a de facto slave. Unless you favor euthanasia for people when they become useless eaters, "giving back" to people who once gave is a reality.
According to the Free Market rules, raising of children should be done where it is cheapest. In other words:
The Law of Comparative Advantage dictates that "Americans should not have children!"
Why not make personal exemption for each human being the same - INCLUDING CHILDREN?
They make no money, they pay no taxes.
That's why we need a consumption tax. To get rid of all these government entitlements programs.
But they need to eat, be dressed, housed etc ... We should stop child penalty tax. Each human being - the same exemption.
That's why we need a consumption tax.
You want parents to pay more tax? (Children are additional consumers)
I must assume you subscribe to this philosophy.
From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.
If you willfully [if you are childless by choice] refuse to raise your own children you refuse to contribute to the survival of the society in which you live. Why at the old age you should be taken care of by the other people's children?
Do you support euthanasia?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.