Favorite Answer

Not my thoughts but the best pick from something I got through my mailbox once:

18 Reasons why people have babies:

Reasons given: I can't help it, it's a biological urge.

Real reasons: Unexamined motivations.

Suggested alternatives: Institutions await those who can't control their biological urges.

Reasons given: I just love children.

Real reasons: Out of touch with inner child, and with existing children.

Suggested alternatives: Adopt, step, and foster parenting. Big Brother/Sister. Work with children, teach.

Reasons given: Pregnancy and childbirth are life experiences.

Real reasons: Life choices limited by social indoctrination.

Suggested alternatives: Rent pregnancy simulator. Choose different life experiences.

Reasons given: A good family is essential to career advancement and strong standing in the community.

Real reasons: Social insecurity. Wants a trophy, children to improve social status.

Suggested alternatives: Rent children from talent agency on special occasions. Have white picket fence installed.

Reasons given: We want to create a life which embodies our love for each other.

Real reasons: Ego, times two, minus imagination, equals three plus.

Suggested alternatives: Take up gardening. Adopt a stream, trail, or hike trail. Rescue animals. Protect & restore ecosystems to embody love.

Reasons given: I want my kids (who don't exist yet) to have all the things I didn't have.

Real reasons: Unfulfilled childhood desires and fantasies.

Suggested alternatives: Deal with regrets & make best of life. Provide for existing children.

Reasons given: To carry on family name.

Real reasons: Trying to please Dad. Duped by bloodline superstition.

Suggested alternatives: Create something enduring & give it family name. Donate blood to pass on bloodline.

Reasons given: God wants us to.

Real reasons: Mindless obedience to dogma peddlers who want larger flocks.

Suggested alternatives: Seek true nature of God, whatever you perceive God to be.

Reasons given: I've always wanted to have children, it's what people do.

Real reasons: Unquestioned cultural conditioning.

Suggested alternatives: Consider alternatives. Question expectations. Adopt.

Reasons given: To cement our relationship.

Real reasons: Fear of failed marriage.

Suggested alternatives: Communicate to strengthen relationship. Attend retreats for bonding couples.

Reasons given: Want to see a little me.

Real reasons: Self-absorption. Lack of ego gratification.

Suggested alternatives: Order a custom-made, life-like doll. Create a gratifying life of your own.

Reasons given: I love babies.

Real reasons: Short-sighted view of reality.

Suggested alternatives: Babies soon turn into children, then adults. Infant care work is available.

Reasons given: Being a mother is a woman's highest calling.

Real reasons: Beguiled into believing compliance is noble free choice.

Suggested alternatives: Motherhood, and fatherhood, may be achieved without breeding. Many children wait for good homes.

Reasons given: My child could find a way to save the world.

Real reasons: "Mother of God" complex. (Also applies to men).

Suggested alternatives: If you want something done right, do it yourself.

Reasons given: We'd like to try for a boy/girl this time.

Real reasons: Ego extension. Gender identity insecurity. Dissatisfaction with existing offspring.

Suggested alternatives: Appreciate who you have, they might resent their sibling whose gender is preferred.

Reasons given: Our economy needs young workers to replace retired workers.

Real reasons: Willing to sacrifice offspring to gods of National Economy.

Suggested alternatives: Automation reduces need for wage slaves. Consider rights of unconceived to stay that way.

Reasons given: My biological clock has gone off.

Real reasons: Women's normal heightened sexual desire in 30s & 40s difficult to accept in puritanical societies.

Suggested alternatives: Disarm that culturally-implanted mental time bomb. It's okay to make love and not babies.

Reasons given: My biological clock has gone off.

Real reasons: Women's normal heightened sexual desire in 30s & 40s difficult to accept in puritanical societies.

Suggested alternatives: Disarm that culturally-implanted mental time bomb. It's okay to make love and not babies.