# Why do childless US taxpayers have to support other people's kids? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 27, 2001, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-childless-us-taxpayers-have-to-support-other-peoples-kids/63552 "2001-04-27T18:03:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-childless-us-taxpayers-have-to-support-other-peoples-kids/63552/81 "2022-09-19T14:06:58Z")
> [@Zcrichards110](#): > > I agree with paying taxes as long as it is equal. So i would say get rid of the tax credits for dependents. I see a lot of posts about the cost of raising a child which was a choice. This thread is old enough to drink beer and its parent no longer qualifies for a tax credt. Welcome to the board, but if you want a robust conversation, it may be better to start a new thread. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-childless-us-taxpayers-have-to-support-other-peoples-kids/63552/82 "2022-09-19T14:08:15Z")
Amazing how many people want all the benefits of society without having to do a damn thing to pay for them. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-childless-us-taxpayers-have-to-support-other-peoples-kids/63552/83 "2022-09-19T14:14:13Z")
The endlessly drummed “personal responsibility” narrative of the right has eroded the notion that we are all responsible for contributing to all aspects of society and that we all benefit from investing in human prosperity and potential. ---
**Author:** ![Zcrichards110](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c68b51/32.png) [@Zcrichards110](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zcrichards110)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-childless-us-taxpayers-have-to-support-other-peoples-kids/63552/84 "2022-09-19T14:24:00Z")
I realized it was old after I posted it. Ishould just start a new thread. I read it after I got in a big discussion with my sister about this exact topic🤣. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-childless-us-taxpayers-have-to-support-other-peoples-kids/63552/85 "2022-09-20T06:14:16Z")
I went to this thread’s bar mitzvah, and it was great. It will be interesting to study the effects of not having enough children in China. For the rest, TODR. (Too old, didn’t read) ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-childless-us-taxpayers-have-to-support-other-peoples-kids/63552/86 "2022-09-20T12:54:46Z")
> [@andros](#): > > Parents receiving tax credits for their children place an additional burden on all other taxpayers. Those without children pay _more_ in taxes while placing _less_ strain on resources. This is not a penalty? People who don’t have children and then draw on the state’s resources to survive in old age are putting a strain on our society. Maybe instead we should increase the child tax credit and end all social programs for people 65+? Just have kids and have them take care of you! ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-childless-us-taxpayers-have-to-support-other-peoples-kids/63552/87 "2022-09-20T13:02:03Z")
Do you have any idea how LITTLE money that is in comparison to what good parents actually spend raising their children? The myth that people have children to save money via the government is just that, a myth, and an ABSURD one at that. Also, when you give much needed assistance to parents raising children, you are investing in our future society because our children ARE our future society! By the way, our school district in Illinois spends @ $14,000 per pupil per year, but our prison system in Illinois spends $33,507 per prisoner per year. You’re paying for that too, by the way, so might want to think about which one you’d rather pay for. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-childless-us-taxpayers-have-to-support-other-peoples-kids/63552/88 "2022-09-20T13:03:39Z")
Closed on September 20, 2022, 1:03pm UTC ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-childless-us-taxpayers-have-to-support-other-peoples-kids/63552/89 "2022-09-20T13:05:13Z")
A thread this old and contentious does not need to be revived. If you wish to continue the discussion start a new thread please. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-childless-us-taxpayers-have-to-support-other-peoples-kids/63552.md?page=4)