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| Sat, 06-06-2009 - 5:01pm |
Someone mentioned that this board has been rather quiet lately, I think this may stir people up a bit.
My question is, how many children are too many, especially for people on a tight budget? Several months ago there was a discussion here about the octuplet mom, and most people considered it a very irresponsible thing, both financially (tax payer's money going to support her and the babies) and as a parent (how can she take care of eight in addition to the six as a single mom, and the example she sets for them).
And there are the more normal people, with several children, struggling to make ends meet. I would like to say is it none of my business how many children other people have, but every time someone defaults on a credit card, for example, the bank will need to make up for the loss and raise rates and fees on everyone. A foreclosed house in the neighborhood affects everyone on the same street. I am not saying children are the cause of all financial woes, but certainly they cost money in absolute terms, and often one parent decides not to work to take care of them.
Nor am I trying to say only well to do people should have children, but I cannot help but shake my head when people at work complained about not having the money for this and that when they have four or five or six. I am also tired of baby shower invitations when they expect me contribute a significant amount. (Quit going to those a long time ago). Having said that, even though I choose to be childless (and if I were to have any, most likely I will send him/her to private schools), I believe certain things, like property tax to support schools and money to fund community program for children, are part of living in a society and never begrudge those things.
So what do you think? Do you think it is a person's right to have as many children as he/she wants regardless of the financial situation? Do you believe one should carefully look at the budget before deciding to have children? Or somewhere in between? And how many is too many?

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Hi Amy,
I appreciate your task of moderating this thread, and expect that it will be shut down in rather short order.
However, I believe that when a poster announces an intention to procreate for as long as possible, it is only fair to allow others to respond.
I have to add that if Ummhidaya
I love the topic and it will be good to stir the board a bit - lol.
Now I am a college educated individual, so my perspective comes from that point of view.
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