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Why are People Having Fewer Kids? Perhaps it's because they don't like them very much
Reason ^ | February 26, 2008 | Ronald Bailey

Posted on 02/27/2008 7:06:01 AM PST by Uncledave

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Web site for documentary mentioned in article: http://www.demographicwinter.com/
1 posted on 02/27/2008 7:06:08 AM PST by Uncledave
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To: Uncledave; Tijeras_Slim; Allegra; Jersey Republican Biker Chick

I like where this thread is going.


2 posted on 02/27/2008 7:08:10 AM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: Uncledave

Politically, this seems to divide the world up into the two camps who are reproducing beyond replacement rate: Christians and Muslims.

And if we had the will to end illegal immigration, liberals will have died off as a majority within 20 years.


3 posted on 02/27/2008 7:08:25 AM PST by Uncledave
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To: Uncledave
My wife and I try not to flaunt our voluntarily childless lifestyle too much.

Of course, it makes you look shallow and self-centered.

4 posted on 02/27/2008 7:09:20 AM PST by GingisK
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To: Uncledave

I don’t have any studies to back this up, just my observations, but—it seems to me that lots of parents would be happier if they’d just discipline their kids and set healthy limits to their behavior. I know it’s not politically correct to say that, but it must be hard to enjoy the results of letting them run rough-shod over everyone, including the parents, especially once they’re in their teens and even MORE difficult to manage.

It also seems to me that a lot of parents have children because it’s chic to have kids. They dress them up and show them off at the mall, but when it comes time to do the real work with them, they’re MIA.

Neither of these observations are true of all parents, but I do see it all too often.


5 posted on 02/27/2008 7:11:28 AM PST by MizSterious (The Republican Party is infected with the RINO-virus)
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To: Uncledave

Unfortunately many don’t want the responsibility of children.


6 posted on 02/27/2008 7:12:11 AM PST by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists...call 'em what you will...They ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: Uncledave
Why are People Having Fewer Kids? Perhaps it's because they don't like them very much

When I am forced next to their ill mannered kids in stores and restarants, I don't like them very much either.

7 posted on 02/27/2008 7:12:11 AM PST by Balding_Eagle (If America falls, darkness will cover the face of the earth for a thousand years.)
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To: Uncledave
Why are People Having Fewer Kids?
Because working people are TAXED TO DEATH and can't afford them anymore.
8 posted on 02/27/2008 7:13:09 AM PST by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: GingisK

It might, but consider it a blessing that they didn’t have kids if that’s the case. Shallow, self-centered people usually make lousy parents.


9 posted on 02/27/2008 7:13:42 AM PST by MizSterious (The Republican Party is infected with the RINO-virus)
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To: Uncledave
shhh.. you aren’t supposed to tell our secret...
10 posted on 02/27/2008 7:15:24 AM PST by mnehring ("Ronald Reagan has made Jimmy Carter look like a conservative..."- Ron Paul)
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To: MizSterious
Shallow, self-centered people usually make lousy parents.

I do not!

11 posted on 02/27/2008 7:15:45 AM PST by Richard Kimball (Sure, they'd love to kill me, as long as they can do it without admitting I exist)
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To: Uncledave
"Economists have modeled the impact of many variables on people's overall happiness and have consistently found that children have only a small impact. A small negative impact," reports Harvard psychologist and happiness researcher Daniel Gilbert.

Of course, that's not what most parents say when asked.

Speaks for itself.

12 posted on 02/27/2008 7:17:08 AM PST by MaxFlint
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To: GingisK

Wait until they get older, the state will take their money and determine the best care needed for them.


13 posted on 02/27/2008 7:17:15 AM PST by ThisLittleLightofMine
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To: Balding_Eagle

Am I wrong?

Is it true that EVERY bad thing that occurs can be traced to some liberal policy?

Even your reference to ill mannered kids - “self esteem” movement, non-punishment movement, “wouldn’t want to break their spirits” movement - all _liberal_ ideas, all bad.


14 posted on 02/27/2008 7:19:38 AM PST by MrB (You can't reason people out of a position that they didn't use reason to get into in the first place)
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To: Uncledave

IMO, people are not having children because of oppressive nanny government agencies. When a person cannot discipline his/her child without fear of being reported to CPS for ‘abuse’, it’s a fairly strong dis-incentive.


15 posted on 02/27/2008 7:21:21 AM PST by bassmaner (Hey commies: I am a white male, and I am guilty of NOTHING! Sell your 'white guilt' elsewhere.)
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To: Uncledave
Why are People Having Fewer Kids? Perhaps it's because they don't like them very much

I believe it is because the self-centered types no longer need to have kids to help them work the farms or the family business, so they just don't have them.

16 posted on 02/27/2008 7:22:49 AM PST by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
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To: Uncledave
I loved my kids...until they became teenagers.

My daughter will turn 21 this year, and she has "gotten it" since getting her own apartment.

My oldest son will soon be 19, and we're having major motivational issues with him. At this time, he will be attending New Mexico Military Institute, in the military, or looking for a new place to sleep (that is, if he doesn't shake himself out of his stupor). I would prefer that he take care of his business, i.e. study hard in college, but he thinks I'm just ragging on him. I no longer see any wisdom or value in throwing good money after bad.

Son #2 just turned six, and he's been the one keeping a smile on my face. I have six more good years before his hormones start kicking in.

They all drive me crazy, but I wouldn't change a thing.

17 posted on 02/27/2008 7:22:57 AM PST by Night Hides Not (I'm voting for McCain...if (and only if) his VP is JC Watts!)
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To: Uncledave

Hm. So parents say one thing, but Gilbert knows they’re lying.... How does he know that?


18 posted on 02/27/2008 7:23:16 AM PST by r9etb
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To: MizSterious

My sentiments exactly — Child as Plaything gets really old really fast. Not to mention the number of us whose walk through the grocery store, the mall, the airport, and even the International Car Show is impeded by screaming, thrashing, flailing small fry whose parents are standing by helplessly wringing their hands. Last weekend on the way between buildings at the Car Show we encountered one of these Pampered Darlings whose roars could be heard for half a city block; the general comment was “Oh, NOW I remember why I never had kids!” or “The poster child for birth control.” People without kids see this kind of nightmare and congratulate themselves on avoiding it.

The other indisputable truth is that you cannot rear very many children in a 339 square foot condo on the 65th floor of a building that is completely surrounded by other tall buildings, especially when that condo cost you $250,000 and your tax rate is 45%. Where are you going to stack them? Where are they supposed to play? Who is going to take them outside to run around — when the nearest green space is half an hour away? And that’s not even including all the Gadgets they HAVE to have (lest they shriek and roll and flail and refuse to get up off the floor).

There are lots more reasons not to have kids than to have them, unless you live on a farm or need them to ramp up your welfare cheque.


19 posted on 02/27/2008 7:24:36 AM PST by Appleby
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To: martin_fierro

as the mother of 3, i find the whole breeder vs. freerider debate incredibly stupid. i think people who don’t have dogs as pets are shallow and self centered : )


20 posted on 02/27/2008 7:25:07 AM PST by xsmommy
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