# What's the big deal with kids?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-kids/18072>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [April 20, 2000, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-kids/18072 "2000-04-20T20:54:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Natalie99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a5b964/32.png) [@Natalie99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Natalie99)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2000, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-kids/18072/41 "2000-04-25T19:19:00Z")

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Re: plt’s post…

“simply because I marvel at the thought of creation of life,  
and what if that is the only worthwhile thing I ever accomplish?”

I too have never felt the urge to have kids, not at 5 or 15 or 25 or 38.

I hope to accomplish things that HELP society/the world as a whole,  
not adding another human that may or may not turn out well to the mix.

If having a child is the ONLY worthwhile thing a person ever does…  
THEIR life was a waste.

JMO

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**Author:** ![Mielikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Mielikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mielikki)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2000, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-kids/18072/42 "2000-04-25T20:04:00Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> Originally posted by Necros:  
> **Thanks to all who have answered. I’m still not sure I completely understand the need to have children, but I have at least an inkling of what different people perceive as the reasons _they_ had them.**

That’s OK- I don’t understand it really either. So you’re not alone there! I also hate football. Shrug- to each their own.

> [@](#):
>
> \*\*In this thread, at least, it seems as if the weight of numbers was primarily on the side of people with children. Despite the reports, perhaps us childfree/childless/whatever aren’t as popular as we’ve been told.
> 
> I feel so alone… :)\*\*

Well, you did ask parents why they had kids. Us non-parents probably didn’t feel so compelled to respond… 🙂

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**Author:** ![Delta-9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@Delta-9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delta-9)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2000, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-kids/18072/43 "2000-04-25T20:04:00Z")

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FTR, I’m a single father.

I have friends without children. If we talk about why we do or don’t have kids, usually **I’m** the envious one because of the many sacrifices I have made, and that I have forgotten what it’s like to be “free”. I don’t “preach” about the joys of parenting or lecture my friends about why they should have kids. It’s truly a personal decision.

I wouldn’t trade parenthood for anything. But I also do not think any less of those who choose not to be parents.

From what I’ve read here, I’m in the minority.

* * *

All those who believe in telekinesis raise my hand.

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