Families Without Children - Report Reveals Changes in Attitudes Towards Kids

Zenit News Agency ^ | July 22, 2006

[Tall_Texan]

It was also a parody, as I had pointed out earlier. Never an article that actually existed. Many "sounded" that way in women's magazines, but that particular one is a modern imitation.

Thanks, I missed that. If it was a parody, it was a good one - complete with some terms that have changed meaning over time. I did think they were overdoing the subservient part a little much.

I grew up (fortunately) in the 60s when Mom was expected to stay home and raise the children (five in our house) while Dad spent all day earning money and making deals. Then Dad would come home, eat dinner, sit in his favorite recliner and watch TV. But Dad was not distant as a father. Often on the weekends he would do things with us or we would tag along and watch him do things around the house.

Never once was I put in day care. Never once had anyone shoved Ritalin down my throat no matter how badly I acted up. I was a lucky kid compared to many today.

[Not A Snowbird]

Sometimes it's not about money, you know, nor is it about selfishness.

You paint a wonderful Little House on the Prairie picture, but it doesn't always work out that way. Some of us come from backgrounds so horrible that bringing kids into the world with that kind of emotional baggage would do more harm than good.

I was nearly forty by the time I exorcised my demons, and by then it was too late to start thinking about procreation.

[pke]

Individuals can take care of the "baggage" of life and give to children what our childhood may had so tragically lacked, needed and wanted. This can serve two purposes: 1. To give a child what he/she needs to grow into happy, mature adult and 2. Help us to heal by experiencing what should have been. I didn't have Little House on the Prairie growing up but I'm trying to give it to my children (if you mean a wholesome life).

[MrEdd]

RE post 310: 35 years ago
(b) Two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place.
was in the same place Homosexual marriage is today - something a special interest group was pushing for to make themselves feel better.

That said, the only languages that don't change are dead languages.

[OldPossum]

Re 317, I understand exactly what you mean. I, too, have lots of nieces and nephews (well, now they are grown but they have children).

And yes, I have come across enormous numbers of people who should have never become parents.

[MrEdd]

Individuals can take care of the "baggage" of life and give to children what our childhood may had so tragically lacked, needed and wanted.

Technically no childhood trauma - either sexual, violent, or both can cause actual reduced structural development in the brain. Do a search on "brain structure" and "trauma". Or get a recent book on post traumatic stress counseling. The brain can develop work arounds, but it isn't quick or easy.

[steve-b]

have been common questions across cultures and throughout time

Just like theft, murder, tyranny, superstition,....

[MrEdd]

If I were an athletic looking child who could not play sports due to a heart condition, questions about playing football or running track might be painful to me. I might be offended by people who asked, and resent them. But my hurt wouldn't make those who asked rude or insensitive.

This falls into exactly that category. If you unjustly vilify people who don't know of you circumstance you do not lift yourself up. Nor do you gain sympathy from anyone else.

[Not A Snowbird]

I didn't say anything about brain trauma. What do you mean?

[MrEdd]

Not brain trauma, Traumatic events. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is devastating to adults. When things happen to children the brain doesn't develop naturally afterward. Even less severe stress - such as having to be the caregiver for siblings at a very young age, or being left alone as a developing toddler and many other things have long term repercussions that are physiological as well as emotional. This book is written in laymans terms (to keep clergy from doing damage rather than helping) and can be found at most bookstores

[LexBaird]

Just because my wife and I can't have children does not mean we are not family.<

Yes, it does, unless you adopt.

Sorry, but a family is a multi-generational group, bonded by love and traditions which are passed down from one generation to the next. A family cannot consist of just two people who end a line. You may have a lovely relationship and marriage, but you don't have a family, beyond, perhaps those older than you. You have no descendants.

It's funny, in a way, how people are fighting tooth and nail to stop the secular world from redefining "marriage", but no one noticed the full court press to redefine "family".

[Luke Skyfreeper]

The prudent ones are having zero to one kid. Meanwhile the Jihadis are having 5-10. The prudent ones will die off, and the world will be inherited by those who choose to be imprudent

There are quite a few conservative families now who are having 4 or more kids -- and home schooling them. These will have a disproportionate impact on the future.

[durasell]

According to my trusty American Heritage (pocket edition) a family is also defined as "members of a household."

[madprof98]

I said: A significant number of self-styled conservatives see "personal liberty" as the highest good

To which you replied: Well, duh -- that's the definition of being a conservative (instead of a big-government liberal).

Only in a losertarian's wet-dream. For the rest of us, definitions depend on popular usage. "Conservative" in that sense means "favoring or desiring to conserve that which is traditional"--like families and common decency, ideas alien to your faction.

[MrEdd]

According to my trusty American Heritage (pocket edition) a family is also defined as "members of a household."

The meaning has changed since the sexual revolution.

And looks to keep changing...

[LexBaird]

According to my trusty American Heritage (pocket edition) a family is also defined as "members of a household."

So, the maid and the butler are family members? Changing the meaning of the language is a tactic of the Left. "Household" has a meaning that is clearly distinct from "family", just as "clan", "kith" and "kin" are similar, but distinct.

[LexBaird]

No, the meaning hasn't changed. It has been co-opted to push an agenda. It is being used as an euphemism, a pretty word to disguise somethings true definition.

[freedumb2003]

I have jokingly, at times of stress with our teenagers, told my husband that it would be easier to raise dogs! At that time, I guess I was half joking.....I'm glad it's almost over now.

Your dogs are almost through?

[MrEdd]

Your dogs are almost through?

Groan..

[freedumb2003]

In a week half the posters on this thread will be using it and claiming it as their own.

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt 2 years ago!!:

28 posted on 07/03/2004 8:51:48 AM PDT by freedumb2003 (I want to die in my sleep like Gramps -- not yelling and screaming like those in his car)