Is it worth having kids?

Fertility rates are falling across the rich world, as more and more people are weighing up whether to have children. Raising them can be stressful and cost a fortune, but they might bring you a lot of joy. So all things considered, on International Women's Day, is it worth having kids?

#childcare

00:00 - Is it worth having kids?
00:36 - Do kids make parents happy?
03:12 - Why people used to have more children
04:11 - The expense of having kids
05:24 - Parental leave
08:03 - Childcare
09:42 - The “motherhood penalty”
13:45 - The macroeconomics of children

[thomHD]

Irony is intelligent people who would make wonderful parents are choosing not to, while less-fit parents continue having loads.

[saramatthews]

It's as simple as this: If you're not stable, PLEASE do not bring children into this crazy world. You're not doing them any favors.

[anttoronto]

The majority having children don’t think about. They just have them. As a result, we have this discussion.

[IKP]

I never had children. If ever I feel a sense of regret sneaking up on me, I spend half an hour in a supermarket or McDonalds and I'm absolutely fine again.

[a.randolph]

It never ceases to amaze me people figure out the cost of children AFTER they have them and not before

[oONodokaOo]

I am a quiet person and I listen to the people around me tell me they feel sorry for me because I don't have children, they don't understand why and how I can live alone... They are compassionate so I tell them "it's ok" with a smile, and I mean it. They don't realise my hapiness comes from leading a calm and simple, underwhelming life. Less problems, more time to appreciate life and know myself. This life suits me well!

[morganclarke]

If you're not finding joy and fullness in your life until you have kids, you've obviously never tried anything else.

[LR-mhhs]

Corporations want you to have MORE kids. They want a larger workforce (more workers for less money is their motto). By all means, have more kids, educate them and send them off to work. Someone has to make the rich richer.

[TicoMla]

Being an uncle.. best thing in the world... Enjoying your nephews while being raised by somebody else .. pure genius ..

[ViceCoin]

Exactly, I meet lots of angry parents, cursing at their kids.
As a summer camp counselor, a kid told me, "You treat me better than my parents."

[jacksonbickford]

Honestly they call the US a rich country, but when most people can’t afford education, homes, childcare, groceries, transportation, entertainment… maybe we just aren’t a rich country anymore.

[carlitoxb]

I’m childless by choice but I have huge respect for all parents around the world who sacrifice their lives to support them

[slowzhu]

The other thing the video didn't mention is the parents' mental health. My mother was always in a bad mood when I grew up, I always felt very intense at home, so I stayed at my friend's home as much as possible. My mother is healthy and most of the time responsible as a parent, but she didn't have the concept of emotional health. I thought a lot about her issues and temperament, measuring how I do when anxious, stressed, or exhausted. I don't do well. I cannot imagine having a kid and not having the energy to be a patient parent, as any kid deserves. To me, that's really irresponsible.

[Userx]

"Children are your greatest source of happiness because they get rid of all your other sources of happiness."

[thecozyvvitch]

No it isn’t worth it. Inflation is getting worse and half of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.

[Georgecostanza]

Wife and I grew up in broken homes. Happy to stop the cycle.

[Bluesclues-here]

I definitely think more people do regret bringing kids into the world than they’re able to admit to society. Children are absolutely amazing, but the stress, anxiety, the responsibility for their outcome in life, it’s like carrying the world on your shoulders. It’s tough to say the least.

[alliasn]

Being a parent is hard, no doubt. I hope more people are seeing the weight that comes with decision. Children should be wanted, not regretted.

[RavensFan]

People don't want children because they don't want to be working a second job, waking up in the middle of the night, disciplining them, spending thousands of dollars just for them to go to college, etc

[gregoryvanikiotis]

Never had children, never wanted to be a parent but I always have peace of mind! I made the right decision for myself.