Should I have children? - CrowdScience, BBC World Service

"To be or not to be" was never your decision. No one alive today is an “exister” by consent - your parents made that call for you. But who can blame them?

Animals are hardwired with strong impulses towards their procreative goals, and we humans, by and large, are no different. But for some conscientious people alive today, this most fundamental of biological impulses is butting up against a rational pessimism about the future...

With apocalyptic scenes of natural disasters, rising sea levels and global pandemics causing existential dread and actual suffering, it's understandable that CrowdScience listener Philine Hoven from Austria wrote to us asking for help her make sense of what she sees as the most difficult question she faces - should she have children?

In this episode, presenter Geoff Marsh helps Philine to predict what kind of a world her hypothetical child might inhabit, and explores the impact their existence, or indeed non-existence might have on society and the planet. Plus, we'll explore what ‘antinatalism’- a philosophical stance which argues against procreation, can tell us about the moral landscape of the unborn. With Ms Caroline Hickman, Professor Mike Berners-Lee, Professor Noriko Tsuya and Professor David Benatar.

Presented and produced by Geoff Marsh for BBC World Service

Thumbnail credit: Getty Images

----------------
This is the official BBC World Service YouTube channel.
If you like what we do, you can also find us here:

Thanks for watching and subscribing!
#BBCWorldService #WorldService

[tungtvann]

The question shouldn’t be “do I want to have children” it should be “if my children had a choice, would they chose to be born?”

[kitkat]

I’ve always wanted to be a mother but there are so many children out there that need a good home so I’m considering adoption when I’m much older, financially stable and have the time to give a child.

[MCC]

Think of it from the child’s perspective. No child asks to be born. All the pain and suffering and happiness your child will experience is your responsibility. Can you guarantee a good life to your child?

[harpsailorharpgg]

No....i haven't had any
....im.48 ...free and can do whatever i want with no regrets ❤

[sirsurb]

the question should be: do kids want YOU!

[meregaming]

No. They got me slaving away, not my kids.

[N_GAMEPLAYS_ofc]

When i was 24 years old i though the same, but when i was 32 i became preagment of my only son. He is 8 years old and my sunshine, my own, the light of my eyes.

[YeeSun]

I think not only the environmental plays a role to have children or not but also the financial aspect plays a huge role. Salaries are not catching up with the high inflation. Families are struggling financially while both couples are working full time or have multiple jobs just to survive.

[cjalisyas]

THE BEST EXISTENCE IS NONE EXISTENCE.
KNOW LIFE, KNOW PAIN.
NO LIFE, NO PAIN.
ANTINATALISM.

[fionazerbst]

The maternal instinct passed me by, and I am so glad it did. Having kids in today's world doesn't seem like the best idea.

[trevagraham]

I would never do something to someone that I wouldn't want done to me, and for that I will never have children.

[thoughtfulsteve]

It’s not responsible to bring a child into a dying world against its will with no humane escape hatch. Problem solved, no masters degrees or piano music required.

[yecang]

I am pregnant and decided to have it . I don’t want to make it disappear. It is the second child.If the future environment is tough, she/ he still have someone to rely on when we are dead. If the future is good, they will have a colorful life. I myself won’t want to be a human with the next turn. They decide where to go when they can make a choice.

[sukiwilkins]

There are so many children that already exist. I hope people start talking more about adoption and everyone who is considering this question, seriously considers adoption as one of their possible options.

[ameygade]

I am 28 and childfree, will never have kids

[CeravvvEgan]

There can’t be infinite growth on a finite planet with finite natural resources.

[gardenjoy]

Personally, I chose to not have children. There are so many in the world already, that are suffering badly, also in richer countries. So, instead, I've been a foster parent.
Over time I've shifted more and more to nature being more important than nurture, in raising children. We have tried to install many good traits in children, but we've seen over and over again, how they follow their original family's pathways. E.g. my last foster daughter didn't get pregnant as a teen. But she is utterly selfish, as is her birth mother. My last foster son is damaged by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and we hope to have saved the world from a mass murderer, since he was one big ball of aggression. Yet, he's still indifferent to others, mainly. Sigh.
So, if two kindhearted people want children, I'd say: go for it. Pass on the GOOD GENES too! The future needs smart, responsible and compassionate people too. Nurses, teachers, scientists, doctors. If that's your family legacy, PLEASE REPRODUCE and train them well! The others will reproduce REGARDLESS and they'll only outnumber the good ones otherwise.
The philosopher doesn't think these things through. You've taken someone with a very extreme view.

[yutongmeng]

I'm 30 now, and my only thought every day is just to take care of myself and not to bring any trouble to others, so don't want to others to bother me as well...(I mean children)

[MrSvenovitch]

Humanity is over. It is always unethical to push life on sentient beings. And more and more people are starting to realise this. This temporary existence piramid game is not fun at all for a majority of people.

[CeravvvEgan]

Now well into my 40s I’m so happy with my decision not to have kids. I’m an older sister, cousin, aunt, and future adopted granny hopefully 😊 ive been able to help and financially contribute towards my nieces upbringing and help other causes. I’ve travelled the world, and have a career, home, great social life and feel fulfilled and at peace. I’m not leaving anyone to an uncertain future, and I can help those who are already here and need help.