Climate crisis, wars and violence - Do I still want to have children in this world? Yes, I do!
When I meet up with my best friend from university, we usually talk about politics. Even if I don't like talking about it in my free time because I deal with it every day. But so be it. The last tea we had was about the war in the Middle East and at some point we ended up talking about family planning - which we're both still a long way from doing. When my friend remarked that we don't really want to have any more children in this world because of wars and the climate crisis, I almost choked on my tea.
The argument is not new; it pops up again and again on social media. There are plenty of reports about young people who are worried about the state of our planet and no longer want to have children out of concern. But most of it sounds more like an excuse than a real reason to me.
There are plenty of other reasons not to have children.
Do children still fit into this world?
Women are expected to manage a career and care work at the same time - not everyone wants to do that because it means stress, less time and a lot of work. Deciding not to have children because a woman would rather devote herself to work is by no means reprehensible. I, too, am afraid of not being able to juggle children and work. Nevertheless, I would like to try at some point. Whether you end up choosing children or a career depends on your partner and the type of person you are.
But society's perspective on relationships and family has also changed. Relationships are becoming more casual, online dating platforms are the new playground, especially for those who are looking for erotic adventures rather than something more permanent. Open relationships are becoming fashionable, not only among people under 30, but also beyond.
Children are less suited to such models because they demand reliability and responsibility. They cost time, money and nerves, which you can save for yourself. Only those who regularly fly off on vacation and justify their childlessness with their love for our planet cannot be taken seriously.
Children are an opportunity to take responsibility for our world
In the end, having children is and remains an adult and, above all, a conscious decision. You have to learn how to be a mother or father, but you only know what it's really like when you become a mother or father yourself.
Using wars and climate change as counter-arguments is silly. Admittedly: In a situation like Gaza, I would think twice. Fortunately, we are a long way away from wars here in Germany (and in most of Europe) at the moment. And the issue of overpopulation is also a rather childish argument against having children.
Only a small part of the world's population lives in abundance and waste. Distributing the surplus fairly would already help our planet massively. Children therefore do not have to make the world a worse place. On the contrary, they can make many things better. To do this, children do not necessarily have to become climate activists or Nobel Peace Prize winners.
By raising their children, parents take responsibility for themselves and their offspring, but also a little for the rest of the world. Whether you want to take on this responsibility is ultimately up to you.
Lesen Sie auch:
Despite the ongoing climate crisis and wars, you still want to have children, indicating a strong desire for family and creation. This decision, despite the challenges, can serve as an opportunity to take responsibility for our world and make it better for future generations.
Family planning discussions often include concerns about the climate crisis, as the well-being of children is a top concern for many individuals. However, avoiding children purely out of fear for the climate crisis may not be a rational or fair response, as responsible use of resources and fair distribution of wealth could significantly reduce the impact of overpopulation.
As a society, we've seen changing perspectives on relationships and family planning, with some valuing career aspirations over childrearing. However, children can also bring much joy and fulfillment to families, regardless of the challenges they may face. Ultimately, whether or not to have children is a deeply personal decision that varies based on individual values, circumstances, and relationships.
Source: www.stern.de
