babble » blogs » Strollerderby
Strollerderby
Having Kids — Should There Be A Limit?
The folks at WalletPop UK, noting that a survey commissioned by the Optimum Population Trust indicates that nearly a third of people in the UK would support a cap on the number of kids a couple can have, took a look at the financial implications of family size. Their conclusion? Although kids are expensive and do cost the taxpayers money, they do pay that back when they become adults and begin paying taxes. Furthermore, the author notes that at some point in the future, the current crop of parents will be grandparents (Get off my lawn!) and we will need those kids to support us and care for us.
Now, I do have more kids — three, to be exact — than most of the other families I know, but I would hardly describe us as “out-of-control” the way WalletPop does. The Duggars? Sure, but us? No way. We do have, of course, more kids than parents, but population growth is not so simple. As an example, if you were to add up all of my wife’s siblings and siblings-in-law, and compare that number to the total number of kids, it actually comes up equal — 12 parents and 12 kids — despite some couples being “out-0f-control” to the tune of three kids each.
But the world population does appear to be growing steadily and it’s not hard to see that we have a limited amount of resources and space. So do we need to limit the number of children each family has? While I’m definitely not in favor of the number of people on the planet increasing, I’m also not in favor of placing limits on family size. While I may not think that 18 kids and counting is such a good idea in the grand scheme of things, I also know it’s not my place — nor anyone else’s — to make such a judgment for anyone other than my own family.
Some, however, say that the need to protect the environment and our need to preserve natural resources outweighs individual rights in this matter — that has been the case in China for 30 years. Still, I don’t think legislation such as China’s one-child policy is the way to go. Sure, advertise, encourage, and educate the public to let them know the reasons not to have lots of kids, but I can’t support forcing that decision on them. What say you?
Photo: kconnors
Go Back To Strollerderby
5 Comments
Amanda commented on Nov 24 09 at 1:05 pmDon’t the people on the left realize (and this is a leftist idea) that if they refuse to reproduce or only have one child per couple or that it will only be us climate change skeptics on the right having kids and brainwashing the next generation? ;)
ChiLaura commented on Nov 24 09 at 3:48 pmShhhhh, Amanda, apparently they HAVEN’T realized! =)
jenny tries too hard commented on Nov 24 09 at 4:18 pmThe UK of all places ought to have realized by now… Isn’t the Britsh welfare class seriously outpacing the producers of wealth, even with their socialized medicine/access to birth control?
Cate commented on Jan 18 10 at 11:07 pmWow 3 kids is out of control? I had my daughter 5 years ago then another planned pregnancy (although unplanned twinning!) 4 years after. Am I out of control? I think 7 is out of control. Five or six is A LOT. Four is out of the ordinary. But 3 is comfortable. Two is way convenient. One is a walk in the park ;D Other countries may need the capping system but others don’t. You do not expect senior citizens to keep mowing the lawn do you.
B commented on Apr 07 11 at 2:32 pmHave you seen the movie Idiocracy? I realize it’s fiction, but it makes several good points. Watch it.
I’m tired of the Left vs Right argument. Members of both sides share similar beliefs and not all Leftists and all Rightists agree on all subjects.
Undeniable evidence shows that the earth is leaving a little ice age. And undeniable evidence shows that if the human population continues it’s current behavior, we will run out of drinkable water and more. You cannot argue with these facts. If your answer to those facts is to say that the Rapture is coming and it won’t be a problem, then I have less than no desire to talk to you, I think you are dumb and a waste of precious resources. But just for arguments sake, I would like you to think about this- what if how people handle the earth is a test from God?
All that being said, I am a firm believer that there IS enough food, we just have to do a much better job of distributing it. More people need to care about others and not be greedy. Read Hopes Edge by Frances Lappe. It’s real and it’s possible.
The answer is not to limit the number of children people are “allowed” to have, but to change the way we consume resources, the way we package and transport goods, the way people view the environment (and therefore those precious LIMITED resources), and the way people treat each other.
Add your take:
Note: Babble is a supportive, diverse community. We encourage a range of opinions,
but any unduly hostile comments will be removed.
Comments are delayed up to 15 minutes
Joslyn Gray 
Amber Doty 
Julianna Miner 
Monica Bielanko 
Sierra Black 
Meredith Carroll 
Carolyn Castiglia 
Sunny Chanel 
Madeline Holler 
Wendy Michaels 
Rebecca Odes 
Danielle Smith 
Danielle Sullivan 
Katherine Stone 
The Walt Disney Company supports Babble as a platform dedicated to honest, engaged, informed, intelligent and open conversation about parenting. However, the opinions expressed on this site are those of individual parents/writers and do not reflect the views of Disney. In addition, content provided on this site is for entertainment or informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or safety advice.
5