Things that are WAAY overdue

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

We probably wouldn't have survived this long as a species if that didn't happen!

we've survived ?

[balok]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

I agree that parenting is a difficult job, and getting more difficult all the time; so it seems self-evident to me that not everybody can do it.

If you can have sex, you can become a parent. How well you do it, that's a matter of opinion (in both cases).

[Lady Blue]

Originally Posted by balok

If making babies was just an accessory to having sex, then we would have an on/off switch, just like you can use a Corvette without driving fast. I think having a family is the primary goal of mariage. Like flying is the primary purpose of a plane.

I did not know that.

We (he and I) have been together for over 37 years, married for 34-1/2 years, but I did not know that having children was the primary goal of marriage. We had many reasons for being together and getting married, but having children was not #1. Don't think it was even in the top 5.

I guess I was under the mistaken belief that 2 constitutes a family, and more than 2 just constitutes a bigger family. Actually I always thought that even just 1 was a part of some family, nuclear, extended or otherwise.

Live and learn . . .

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by balok

If you can have sex, you can become a parent. How well you do it, that's a matter of opinion (in both cases).

Well, of course, you can become a parent without having sex.

But the important thing is how well people parent.
Sadly, one doesn't have spend long in the local shopping centre to see far too many examples of inadequate parents who are letting down their kids, and causing havoc for everyone else.

If more people though twice beforehand, there'd be fewer regretting it afterwards.

[Lady Blue]

Originally Posted by balok

If you can have sex, you can become a parent. How well you do it, that's a matter of opinion (in both cases).

Exactly. That's one of the reasons why many people feel they don't want children. The theory being that anyone can be a parent, but not everyone should be.

Anyone with the money can own a plane, but not everyone is qualified or capable of being a pilot.

[GeoffC]

Kids are a choice ....

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by balok

If making babies was just an accessory to having sex, then we would have an on/off switch, just like you can use a Corvette without driving fast. I think having a family is the primary goal of mariage. Like flying is the primary purpose of a plane.

If I were a modern woman, I'd be pretty insulted if someone told me that my only reason for being in this world was to have babies... just as, as a man, I'd be pretty insulted if someone told me that my only reason for being in this world was to provide sperm for some woman to have babies.

Making babies is just one of the many things men and women can choose to do. You see, we do have on-off switches. They're called brains.

(I've been pulling at the wheel, but I just can't seem to get us off this road...)

[desertgrandma]

Wow. Steve and I actually agree on something.

Way too many people are having children who have no business doing so.

I admire and respect those who realize they wouldn't be good nurturers, or feel for any reason that bringing babies into the world isn't a necessity these days.

Perhaps at one time, in our early history, populating the earth was a good thing......now, not so much.

I like Geoff's take......its a choice.

Choose wisely, grasshopper.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Wow. Steve and I actually agree on something.

Well, I'm sure that if we work hard enough at it, it won't happen again...

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

If I were a modern woman, I'd be pretty insulted if someone told me that my only reason for being in this world was to have babies... just as, as a man, I'd be pretty insulted if someone told me that my only reason for being in this world was to provide sperm for some woman to have babies.

Making babies is just one of the many things men and women can choose to do. You see, we do have on-off switches. They're called brains.

(I've been pulling at the wheel, but I just can't seem to get us off this road...)

Keep trying, Steve, you'll get us there. I hope.

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Wow. Steve and I actually agree on something.

Way too many people are having children who have no business doing so.

I admire and respect those who realize they wouldn't be good nurturers, or feel for any reason that bringing babies into the world isn't a necessity these days.

Perhaps at one time, in our early history, populating the earth was a good thing......now, not so much.

I like Geoff's take......its a choice.

Choose wisely, grasshopper.

Very well said. Thoughtful people make the choice that best suits them and that choice should be respected. I love children. I can't imagine my life without mine and I love teaching other peoples children. It's what works for me. On the flip side, I have friends that are not interested in having children and, to be completely honest, sometimes I envy their freedom. But, then, I spend time with my kids, talk to them, listen to then and I realize how lucky I am. Kids are hard work, but for me it's all worth it.

Bottom line, "to each his own".


To address the comments on education: I do my very best (as do most of my colleagues) to provide a positive and nurturing environment in my classroom that supports all types of academic development, including creativity, which is essential for understanding many intellectual concepts, even math. Spend some time in the classroom to see how things really work.

[balok]

Originally Posted by Lady Blue

Anyone with the money can own a plane, but not everyone is qualified or capable of being a pilot.

Some people buy a plane (get married), but just spend their time and fuel taxiing on the runway and never take off.

[yvanleterrible]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

... just as, as a man, I'd be pretty insulted if someone told me that my only reason for being in this world was to provide sperm for some woman to have babies.

...although many one cell brains would be just happy dandy rising up to the challenge...

[balok]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

Sadly, one doesn't have spend long in the local shopping centre to see far too many examples of inadequate parents who are letting down their kids, and causing havoc for everyone else.

And sadly, since Dr. Spock, we're not allowed to discipline our children. The parents aren't the only ones who should be blamed. Humanists and consumerism have been drilling into their heads the false notion that to love your child is to give him everything he wants.

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by balok

Some people buy a plane (get married), but just spend their time and fuel taxiing on the runway and never take off.

And more power to them!

[pshrynk]

Another thing that is way overdue is getting this thread back on track. So I think that having a medical system in the US that is fair to all parties and allows for basic medical care for all is long past due.