M. Scott Peck said there are two reasons for marriage 1) procreation and 2) spiritual friction
(I love that idea . . .)
I think it also applies to children . . .I am very pro-children because I believe it is part of the natural spiritual purpose of our existence
obviously we no longer have to worry about our children taking care of us in our old age, Big Brother / Uncle Sam / the Village will do that . . .
but the growth that occurs as you develop the abilities to parent . . . I don't think that can be duplicated . . .I don't think there is anything as challenging
I was a "why bring children into this terrible world" type, thank god my husband was not . . .
there is absolutely nothing in life to compare with having children, but you won't know if you don't . . .
of course, I'll never know what it is like to be a totally self-centered child-LESS person,

THANK GOD!

I'll never know what it is like to be a totally self-centered child-LESS person,

Just so we're clear on this...does that statement apply to ALL childless couples?

there is absolutely nothing in life to compare with having children, but you won't know if you don't . . . of course, I'll never know what it is like to be a totally self-centered child-LESS person

I resent that highly. This idea that you cannot be an adult or non-self centered without being a parent is a total crock. I chose not to have children because of many things, but the foremost reason is that I do not have the burning desire to be a parent.

If you need to be a parent, God bless you. But don't think that all virtue comes from parenthood, and that parenthood makes one automatically virtuous and non-self centered. My multi-child sister proves the theory that parenthood and sainthood are not synonymous.