Kids and stuff...

[kayarain]

So, the BBC did a great article talking about limiting the amount of kids you have for the environment.  Eigenadam: weren't we just talking about this?

I thought this was a great perspective and also love the comments posted below the article.   I have to say I feel a little guilty writing about this because I have 3 younger sisters and 2 of them

Comments

[womaninphysics]

Interesting blog post. I agree though, as someone who wouldn't be alive if everyone follows this rule, that it doesn't have to be for everyone. Plus in some countries they don't have a large enough birth rate (like Germany). I also (don't mean to sound arrogant here) think that people smart and thoughtful enough to consider the environment when having kids are probably the ones who should be making the most kids, if we're going to be able to survive as a species, Darwinism and such. Then again, is intelligence genetic or learned, well, that's a whole 'nother can o' worms.

It's a complicated issue.

I don't know anyone who uses abortion as birth control...does anyone do that? It's such a hard thing to go through. Sure, maybe some people were not being smart about birth control, and being a teenager implies being stupid sometimes, but I don't know anyone who consciously uses abortion for birth control.

[kayarain]

well, lady, I think you could have as many kids as you want because they will be awesome and you will teach them physics. ;)
heehee
But, I know what you mean. I'm just being all judgmental and stuff, really I don't know why it's bugging me lately. I guess cuz I get tired of the irresponsible people having lots of babies and also all the reality shows about big families like it's a thing you can do and be famous for it.

Sounds familiar.

[eigenadam]

I agree that there should not be a hard limit on the number of kids any given couple has. I don't think it's the government's place to say who should be able to have kids or how many they should be allowed to have.

That being said, as a species we have a problem. Population growth is exponential and doubles every 61 years. This can't last forever. On average we as a species need to have fewer children. That might mean adopting instead of having your own children, or having fewer kids. Obviously, some people choose not to have kids as well.