Society’s life milestones expect people to follow are to date, marry, have kids, and get a house with a white picket fence. Some people choose not to have children, couples and singles, for personal and other reasons. These are five arguments for being childfree and the responses that people may give who want people to have children. There are different reasons why people may choose to be childfree versus choosing to have children.
5 Arguments For Being Childfree Versus Arguments For Children
1. Childfree For The Environment
The first reason why some people may choose to be single is for the environment. The argument for this position is that people are responsible for the environment and that overpopulation is a problem. To prevent climate change, rising sea levels, and carbon dioxide levels, people should choose not to have children. Since a human emits roughly 2.3 pounds of carbon dioxide a day, then having one less child or being childfree reduces carbon dioxide emissions in the world.
Response To Argument
The counter-argument that someone may give is that there is nothing wrong with having children. It is natural to have children because reproduction is part of human biology. They may also say that humans are supposed to tame and be in charge of the earth. People can still be responsible for the environment while still having children. Some people who argue to have children may cite Genesis 1:28, which says, “ Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves the ground.” According to this view, people are higher than animals. It is acceptable to make the earth work for the good of humanity since humans rule over it.
2. Childree For Economic Reasons
The second reason someone may be childfree is for economic reasons. The average cost to raise a child from birth to the age of eighteen is around $284,570. That is $15,809 a year. The most typical salary in the United States is $52,918. That leaves $37,109 to cover expenses such as food, healthcare, clothes, transportation, and education. Prices continue to go up in the economy from inflation; the cost of raising a child will continue to rise with it. For women, having children can disrupt their careers. More women are entering the workforce, so it may be in their economic and career interest to delay having children or to remain childfree. Due to the rising costs of living and the cost of raising a child, some couples and singles may choose to be childfree.
Response To Argument
The second response for having children could be that although children are expensive to raise, children are an investment in the future. This views children as an investment instead of a sunk cost. Children are the next generation that will keep society and the country going. Someone may say that children and families are needed to maintain a nation. That is because a country needs a steady population to sustain itself. They may say something along the lines of “As goes the family goes, so goes the nation, and so goes the whole world in which we live.”
3. Childfree For Health Reasons
The third reason someone may decide to be childfree is for health reasons. Pregnancy and childbirth are dangerous for women and leave lasting effects on women’s health. Some of the impacts on women’s health are postpartum depression, feelings of insecurity and inadequacy, and sleep deprivation. There are also concerns that if the parents have a genetic or health disorder, they may inherit the genetic disorder.
Response To Argument
Someone may respond that although there are dangers with childbirth and health problems can come from genetics. Health problems can also be a result of an individual’s lifestyle choices. They may even say that is what the healthcare system is for and why it is essential to living a healthy lifestyle by exercising and maintaining a healthy diet. It is the parent’s responsibility to teach their children how to live a healthy life and take care of themselves.
4. Childfree For Social Reasons
The fourth reason someone may decide to be childfree is for social reasons. Once a couple has kids, it is harder for them to be involved with their friends and communities. For those who value their friendships and spend time with their friends, children take away time to spend going out with friends and the community they have developed over time. Those who enjoy spending time and being actively involved in their community have less time to be involved in their community when taking care of kids.
Response To Argument
The response may be that some singles may choose to become single parents by choice by either adopting or using in-vitro fertilization. Some singles may want to marry and have kids. Even though your social life changes once you have kids, there is nothing wrong with having a different social life. Your social life may revolve around children as they grow up. Parents will start to hang out and spend more time with parents who have kids so that children can play with each other while the adults talk and catch up with their other friends who also have children. Children change your life and your social life, and they may say that there is nothing wrong with that, so there is nothing wrong with having children.
5. Childfree For Philosophical Reasons
The fifth reason someone may give is for philosophical reasons. The primary argument is that you can decide for yourself if you want to have children. It is up to you not from the pressure that comes from society or the thousands of government laws that benefit married couples who have children. There is more to life than working than dating, marrying, having kids, and a white picket fence. You can enjoy life without having children.
Response To Argument
The response to this argument may go along the lines that it is good to have children and bring children into the world. Children are a blessing to their parents, to others, and every person is unique. Children are also a way to continue the family name, bloodline and to create family memories. You can also leave things to your children and the next generation after you die to help better to set them up for their future after you die. This, in turn, helps your family after you die while also leaving behind a legacy. This places a positive view on birth and having children.
Conclusion
No matter if you are childfree or you may want to have children, these are five arguments for and against being childfree. Some couples have made the choice that they don’t want to have children. Singles may choose that they do not want to date or marry because they want to be childfree.
