The selfishness of childbirth

Why does everyone talk as if childbirth is the most selfless, generous gift to civilization someone can make?

Let's face it - having a baby is a completely selfish act. No, it's not done for the child, or for society or for god. It's done for YOU. It might make you feel good to think you're contributing to society by having a baby - but your irony is exposed when you're willing to tear down everything society puts in your way to protect that which is 'yours'.

You're giving life to someone who might not want it. What's so great about that? In case you haven't noticed, life isn't exactly a blessing and in some cases is a curse. Growing up to 9-5 work day in a factory, depression, drug addiction, suicide. If mother can decide whether her child wants to live before it is born she should be prepared to kill it or let it commit suicide to stop its misery when it grows up. But when does that ever happen? The mother would be too lonely and would have to admit she failed.

 

I think Hallmark should consider adding this to a new line of Mother's Day cards.

 

Having a child is one thing, popping them outta ya like a bb gun is another...

 

Never had kids, so I'm outta here.

Have fun!

 

Regardless of whether it’s a selfless act or not it’s necessary to propagate the species. Although I don’t subscribe the act of birth as a miracle.

Hotwater

 

Well,I'm a selfish bastard then.Mainly because: There's nothing sweeter than a childs laugh.
Nothing smells better than a babys skull (and a puppy's too)
Nothing better than to see a child happy because they've been praised.
Nothing better than to see them learn about their little hands when all -of a -sudden they realize they're in control of them when they're in the crib.
NBT-them learning a language and sometimes making funny mistakes.
NBT-to see them learning how catch a ball and then watching them play ball when they get big.
NBT-their first dates.
NBT-Reading them stories at night when they are calm
NBT-hearing how their day was.
NBT-getting compliments about how hard working and what considerate ,nice people they are.
Hell,I could go on and on and on. Nothing like being selfish and having "me" around in other bodies. Best thing ever happened to me was having my kids. Oh yeah--single parent here.

Had to include their first steps,but forgot!!

 

It's totally selfish. My baby. What a blast!

 

I'm with you on this one.

Would rep you but I have to spread it around first....sorry.

 

My instinct tells me that our friend walsh hasn't seen a very good flame war in a while and is trying to incite one. I do hope his efforts here meet with disappointment.

 

No problem as he is not my kid!

 

hate the little bastids

 

self contemplation wishing one was never born is older than the sun..:sunny:

 

I never considered this angle and you may well be on to something. It certainly avails a more compassionate way of looking at the topic.

 

I think santorum starting this wave of shit.. but I could be wrong.

 

Celibacy is not hereditary...

 

I am happy that I am alive, it is sad if you are not.

I don't plan on having children ever, but I still think life is a blessing.

 

People who only bring negativity to life and have a negative outlook should probably not bring babies into the world.

People who view life as a blessing, as a gift, and can bring a child into a world of sunshine and love are indeed giving the world a gift. They're bringing a child up with a positive outlook in a world that has way too much negativity already.

 

Kids are freaking adorable when they are new but from 2 years and up are a friggin nightmare, I dont know how you all handle them.

Then of course they turn into bratty teens, then eventually whiney adults.


But the world needs more reality show contestants

 

Is having a positive attitude any guarantee that a child will also have a positive attitude and be happy? Never mind about that anyway - what parent even considers it? Even if the world was a postapocalyptic charred shithole with no vegetation or hope left this argument would still be going around. Any parent who does not want to think about stuff just because it is "negative" is totally irresponsible. Parenthood is pleasure-seeking behaviour, nothing more.

 

You make it sound like you are describing an ice-cream you just bought and consumed. This is what i'm talking about - Have a kid, use and abuse them to get every inch of pleasure you can out of them, and convince yourself it was all for their benefit.