The global fertility rate is falling

Post by virgil_disgr4ce » Wed, Jul 15, 2020, 1:07 PM UTC

evgen wrote: post #517

bananaface wrote: post #480

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't even think it's logically valid. I think if you raise your children well, the chance that they'll be there for you in old age is very high. If you don't have kids, the chance you will have friends that loyal is low. Blood is thicker than water, people should be realistic. How do you measure that statistically? All you have are personal experiences. Saying, "not statistics, isn't valid" is obtuse, it leaves yo…

> Blood is thicker than water, people should be realistic. Somewhat off-tangent here, but this is a frequent misunderstanding of this particular quote. The actual quote is: “the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb” and it means the exact opposite of what we now use it for. The intended meaning is that relationships entered into as adults are much stronger and deeper than those we are forced in…

Post by DavidVoid » Wed, Jul 15, 2020, 1:10 PM UTC

tonyedgecombe wrote: post #400

gregfjohnson wrote: post #357

The Hacker News comment section tends to be factual, rational, and logical. So - this may be out of place, but here goes. When making decisions about whether or not to have children, we operate in a state of partial information. (This is of course true of all decisions.) I would like to contribute a bit of information. I'm 66, and have three children and four grandchildren. My adult children are the most wonderful pe…

I'm not sure having children so you won't be lonely in old age is a good thing.

Post by jojobas » Wed, Jul 15, 2020, 1:13 PM UTC

ClumsyPilot wrote: post #603

sweeneyrod wrote: post #595

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The people you know are almost certainly not representative of the world at large. Maybe 80% is a bit high, but the number is certainly over 50%. The median global person earns less than $3000/year.

It's not very usefull to make a point of: "unlike you, some people have to live under tyrany or war" My bet is that of people living in functioning democracies, the percentage will be in like 20-25%.

Post by voicedYoda » Wed, Jul 15, 2020, 1:16 PM UTC

mlyle wrote: post #402

nostromo wrote: post #391

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is a bit like hearing a successful startup founder speak about the joys of success. It’s absolutely correct, but it’s also just one data point. Keep in mind, most of the lonely old people you see have children. And I’m not sure it’s a good, caring thing to tell childless people that they will be lonely in old age, because it need not be true.

A different view from one engaged in parenting 3 boys (11, 9, 6): Having kids is very little fun. It is work. But helping new people to be the best people they can be is fulfilling, joyful work. We're having one of our roughly weekly sleepovers tonight where we all spread out cots on the family room floor. (Everyone falls asleep before me, and so sometimes I make my way online). I like this time because we have a lon…

Post by andreilys » Wed, Jul 15, 2020, 1:28 PM UTC

ido wrote: post #604

silveroriole wrote: post #511

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It sucks knowing that you’re the reason your parents gave up hobbies, dreams, money, travel etc that they could otherwise have had. I know, like you, parents usually think it’s worth it but it’s not nice to think that my mom would probably have been a more fun, interesting person if I didn’t exist. The admittance that your life has to change and you have to give things up so that another human can do maybe things ins…

My mum made that choice of her own free will & to this day often repeats how having 4 kids was the best decision she ever made & if she could go back she would have had even more. My conscience is clear. Also I don't think I have become a less fun, interesting person since having kids. I may have become wiser (and more tired).