To have kids or not to? Your opinion from economy perspective

[ndutndut]

What title says,

unless one is well off himself one should not be having kids, this is my opinion.

What about you?

We live in this world to continue to reproduce. You are here thanks to your parents who gave birth to you, and so on. So if you're poor don't have children it's against the laws of nature, because having children is the instinct of every living creature. However, before having children, we must also prepare ourselves better so that our children can grow up well. Perhaps it's more accurate not to avoid having children, but to limit the number of children we have.

Having children is a human choice, and children cannot choose who they are born to, so parents are responsible for caring for and educating them. Parents who neglect this duty are guilty. If you look at the news about what's happening in Japan, it's truly concerning that they are experiencing a low birth rate. Finally, the country is reportedly implementing policies to increase the birth rate. So, in my personal opinion, as long as you're married, continue to create new generations, but don't forget to prepare thoroughly.

[Jatiluhung]

What title says,

unless one is well off himself one should not be having kids, this is my opinion.

What about you?

There are actually two answers to this question if we consider two different perspectives, and we can even find these two perspectives within a single person. From an economic rationale perspective, having children requires adequate financial preparation. For example, earning above the minimum wage or something similar. But when we talk about love, sometimes the result of a loving relationship with a partner is that we desire children as the fruit of our love. Sometimes we don't use logic in this matter. We have children without considering the financial future. But the amazing thing is that most people are actually motivated to work harder after having children. And after having children, someone can actually become more successful. Perhaps because they feel they have greater responsibilities, they are driven to work harder and produce more.

But in developed countries, most couples avoid having children until their economies are truly ready for them. As a result, some countries, like Japan, are now experiencing a birth rate crisis. This has led the country to implement policies that provide financial support for its citizens who have children, such as child allowances, maternity subsidies, and so on. Developed countries are also beginning to realize that a country can actually go bankrupt not only because of a collapsing economy, but also when it experiences a truly long-term birth rate crisis. A declining native population will only attract more foreign workers, who will ultimately settle there, and the country could eventually become overpopulated with foreigners. And it's not impossible that foreigners will eventually begin to dominate the country's economy.

[m2017]

What title says,

unless one is well off himself one should not be having kids, this is my opinion.

What about you?

In life, it turns out to be the other way around. The poor breed like rabbits, while the rich have 1-2 children. As a result, it turns out that the poor strata of the population only multiply, while the rich gradually die out. A similar picture is at the country level. The birth rate in poor countries is very high, and the population is also growing.

So, for some reason, all these people forgot to ask your opinion.

From an economic point of view, in the modern world it is not profitable to have children (we should not forget that children are not at all guided by the financial component). Because children require "investment" of resources in them and these investments will almost never return to you. That is, you could, roughly speaking, go on vacation to the Maldives instead of paying for your son's education in college.

Up to 20 years (a conventional figure) children need to be provided for and resources invested in them, so that later, they will move to live and work separately, but at the same time, the resources "invested" in them will not return to you (they will pass on to the next generations). If you evaluate from a selfish point of view, then this is extremely unprofitable.

If we are talking about the economic component (abstracting from the rest), then my opinion is the following.

[libert19]

.... If you look at the news about what's happening in Japan, it's truly concerning that they are experiencing a low birth rate. Finally, the country is reportedly implementing policies to increase the birth rate. So, in my personal opinion, as long as you're married, continue to create new generations, but don't forget to prepare thoroughly.

Countries that has qol, they can have kids, and they should deffo implement policies so generations continue. However, in countries like where I come from, qol is poor, so I don't want anybody to this shitshow.

[bettercrypto]

For me I think having kids is the right thing to do, but you should give birth to kids you know you can take care of, and not give births to kids you can't cater for, although it's a commandment for God to go to the earth and replenish, but make sure you can take care of the child or children you choose to bring to this world.
I believe when you have a kid, you tend to be more responsible, because you know you have a child that you are responsible for, and it also makes you work harder to provide.

We know that once we have kids, it's a different level as a new parent where it's our obligation to take care of and raise and teach our children correctly according to what we know is right.

And this responsibility is not easy to do especially if we are just employees and not business owners. That's why some people are limiting themselves to having a child or children, unlike others who don't care if the woman gets pregnant.

[Odogwu-Blockchain]

What title says,

unless one is well off himself one should not be having kids, this is my opinion.

What about you?

Are you including marriage before kids or kids without marriage, is that what you mean?

It's never a good thing to include kid into your world when you are not ready to take any responsibility, I know everyone love to have kids which is a good thing but not in a dry home.

It's only irresponsible men would love to have kids without proper training and dump their kid somewhere else while the parents leave elsewhere also. Don't bring kid when you are not ready.

[r_victory]

Many had children in difficult situations, faced hardships, limitations, and even scarcity at times, but they overcame them. It's not the rule, I know, but if you wait for a favorable situation or a perfect moment, the right time, to have children, you'll never have one. I have three, and it wasn't easy. I often skipped meals so they could eat, and I can say with absolute certainty that I don't regret it for a moment. Today, the situation is a little better, despite the country I live in not doing very well economically and everything being much more expensive.

If you think about it this way, it doesn't just depend on you. If the country's economy is bad, your money won't mean much...

[Fredomago]

.... If you look at the news about what's happening in Japan, it's truly concerning that they are experiencing a low birth rate. Finally, the country is reportedly implementing policies to increase the birth rate. So, in my personal opinion, as long as you're married, continue to create new generations, but don't forget to prepare thoroughly.

Countries that has qol, they can have kids, and they should deffo implement policies so generations continue. However, in countries like where I come from, qol is poor, so I don't want anybody to this shitshow.

Good point, different places and different types of people have their own opinions regarding to this matter, if you value the possibility of what your future generation might be judging with how you see your country's economy it will affects your thinking about raising your own kids, though like what I have mentioned the perspectives depends from how a single person thinks about it just needed to consider all the factors that may affects the decision that you will take.

[highalch]

Your opinion from economy perspective

There's no universe in which you'd monetarily profit from having a child even if your government heavily subsidizes families. I hope money was not your only consideration.

[dunfida]

Many had children in difficult situations, faced hardships, limitations, and even scarcity at times, but they overcame them. It's not the rule, I know, but if you wait for a favorable situation or a perfect moment, the right time, to have children, you'll never have one. I have three, and it wasn't easy. I often skipped meals so they could eat, and I can say with absolute certainty that I don't regret it for a moment. Today, the situation is a little better, despite the country I live in not doing very well economically and everything being much more expensive.

If you think about it this way, it doesn't just depend on you. If the country's economy is bad, your money won't mean much...

That story really shows what parenthood can demand, skipping meals so your kids eat is a kind of love that stays with you, and not regretting it says a lot about your priorities and strength.

National economy matters a lot because inflation and low wages reduce what money can buy, but small practical moves can still help, make a tiny emergency fund even if it’s slow, cut avoidable costs, buy staples in bulk when possible, look for school aid or community programs, and try to grow income through skills or side work that fits your schedule. Keep believing in the tradeoffs you made, they shape your kids and your future, and if you want we can make a simple weekly budget or list small steps to improve things without big risk, say which area you’d like to focus on and we’ll start.

[Swordsoffreedom]

Countries that has qol, they can have kids, and they should deffo implement policies so generations continue. However, in countries like where I come from, qol is poor, so I don't want anybody to this shitshow.

Even if the quality of life in your country is not good, it does not mean that your children will not have a better life because it depends on your financial resources.
I am also from a 3rd world country and my country's economy is not as good as many other countries. Not to brag but our life is a little better because the financial situation is not so bad.

Having children should be a personal decision as it involves many factors such as maintaining the family lineage, the couple's desire for children to be a bond and make family life happier. Or they can also be the motivation for us to try harder in life...

I have 2 kids and I have to admit my life has gotten a little busier since having them. But when we had children, our family became happier, more fulfilled and more connected. So as an experienced person, I encourage having children but it needs to be planned and within financial means.

[Bd officer]

What about you?

I came late to this discussion  , now if someone does not want to have children then he should not get married. You don't need to be rich to raise children. Many poor people also raised children. Now you can say you don't need financial help from children in old age, but I will need care in old age. Who will take care of me if I get sick in old age? Now from an economic point of view my opinion is that it is necessary to have children under any circumstances. Children are God's blessings, however, I thank God because I am going to be a father for the first time.

[Raflesia]

Ultimately, looking at what has happened over the past few pages, it seems that this is just a debate about childfree and those who believe in having children, wrapped up in religious nuances and economic conditions as reasons.

Regardless, I don't think there is any guarantee that having children or being childfree will make someone rich, because in the end, it all starts with the individual. There is no guarantee that choosing to be childfree will automatically make someone rich because they don't have children to support. Lifestyle, good financial management, and knowing what priorities to focus on for economic development are the factors that can lead to wealth, not whether one is childfree or not. In fact, many people who have children today can become billionaires, while on the other hand, there are also many childfree people who are in the same situation (billionaires) or, conversely, suffer more than those who have children.

[STT]

From an economic point of view, in the modern world it is not profitable to have children

Economics should be the broader picture not the idea of skipping all those pesky bills for kids and using it on a holiday instead.  That much is obvious, kids are expensive but its not for profit as ultimately its impossible to be as productive as raising a child; in majority its a gift to the country and their future revenues.
 In poor countries the families may be large as children are the only wealth they have and they keep them close as valuable future parts of a business or farm, etc.

Its not fake or mistaken, people are valuable and productive and impossible to replicate with a machine even with modern technology nothing will ever grow as much or represent as much potential as a human being in all they can do and learn.
   This dynamic ties into the economics of a nation and so low population or declining working populations brings real problems and even China has this ongoing problem to overcome after restricting kids as if a costly commodity.

[Mahanton]

From an economic point of view, in the modern world it is not profitable to have children

Economics should be the broader picture not the idea of skipping all those pesky bills for kids and using it on a holiday instead.  That much is obvious, kids are expensive but its not for profit as ultimately its impossible to be as productive as raising a child; in majority its a gift to the country and their future revenues.
 In poor countries the families may be large as children are the only wealth they have and they keep them close as valuable future parts of a business or farm, etc.

Its not fake or mistaken, people are valuable and productive and impossible to replicate with a machine even with modern technology nothing will ever grow as much or represent as much potential as a human being in all they can do and learn.
   This dynamic ties into the economics of a nation and so low population or declining working populations brings real problems and even China has this ongoing problem to overcome after restricting kids as if a costly commodity.

Raising kids goes far beyond being a personal responsibility it is directly tied to the stability and progress of a nation while many see children mainly as expenses the reality is they are future contributors to the workforce the economy and society as a whole every new generation carries the potential to sustain industries drive innovation and keep systems running when birth rates fall the long term effects are felt in reduced productivity and strained social support systems.

In poorer regions large families are often viewed as wealth children contribute to farming household labor or family businesses and that secures survival this perspective values children not only emotionally but economically as future support in contrast wealthier nations often focus on the immediate costs of raising children and overlook the broader benefits leading to smaller families and eventually population decline.

Machines and artificial intelligence can take over repetitive tasks but no technology can fully replicate human creativity adaptability and capacity to solve complex problems societies with declining young populations eventually face shortages of workers and rising burdens from aging citizens examples can already be seen in nations like japan and china where shrinking populations pose serious economic challenges. Economics at its core is about people when children are treated primarily as burdens instead of investments in the future the foundation of growth weakens prioritizing strong balanced populations ensures sustainable development for generations.

[kryptqnick]

I believe that the decision about having children should not be based solely on money. Yes, finances are important for comfort and opportunities, but they do not define the meaning of parenthood. Children are not just expenses; they bring the experience of unconditional love, responsibility, and shared growth.
What really matters is understanding your own readiness to raise, support, and dedicate your time to a small human being. For some, this is the meaning of life, while for others, it can be a burden.

[Fortify]

What title says,

unless one is well off himself one should not be having kids, this is my opinion.

What about you?

From a pure "economy perspective" there is going to be some magic number of sustainability required for a country, where younger generations can sustain and support the oldest generation into retirement - depending on how state pensions are structured or whether private pensions are sufficient. In many developed countries this number is below the ideal replenishment rate, but there is a lot of tech these days that might mean we don't require so many people in future. The real focus needs to be on proper wealth distribution and making sure a handful of people don't consistently consolidate wealth in just a small number of families. There's nothing wrong with capitalism but it does need to be dynamically and fairly regulated, with the understanding that businesses are always trying to fight back against that effort.

[@nn@_pen9]

What title says,

unless one is well off himself one should not be having kids, this is my opinion.

What about you?

Economy situations are never permanent one might be struggling now and enjoy in the future economy hardship shouldn't prevent one of not having kids if you can comfortably take care of one kid at the moment you stike with it if it's just 2 kids you keep on with it and gave birth to more when things changes for good, you might regret not having at all because at old age you will need one who will take care of you too sometimes children bring blessings to their family some persons life change when they start having kids.

What you said is absolutely right, determining the number of children you want should be adjusted to your abilities and income. In this way, parents can provide adequate attention, education and basic needs for each child. Indeed, children bring the door to fortune from various unexpected directions. The presence of children can also motivate parents to work harder and try to earn a living for the future of their children and their small family.

[MArsland]

unless one is well off himself one should not be having kids, this is my opinion.

What about you?

Is the benchmark for wealth and a prosperous life not having children? If this paradigm is true, then humans would have become extinct long ago. The choice is yours do you want to die leaving behind a lot of wealth that will be taken by others, confiscated by the government, given to institutions, or to your descendants?

Economic perspectives do not always align with basic physics and mathematics. If the current mindset is that “those who are established should not have kids” then be grateful to your parents for not believing in that principle, because if they had, you wouldn't have been born, right? 

[libert19]

... The choice is yours do you want to die leaving behind a lot of wealth that will be taken by others, confiscated by the government, given to institutions, or to your descendants?

I don't have much, and I really don't care where my possessions go after my death.

Economic perspectives do not always align with basic physics and mathematics. If the current mindset is that “those who are established should not have kids” then be grateful to your parents for not believing in that principle, because if they had, you wouldn't have been born, right? 

I have said it before in this thread, I would be perfectly fine had I not come to exist.

PS: I read back what I write, and I am sounding insanely pessimist, do not become like me.