Child-free Families
While being a parent is an undeniably wonderful and life-changing experience, raising children is a lifetime of work, filled with a ton of stress and expenses. It isn’t for everyone, and that is perfectly fine. From having the freedom to travel impulsively, to putting a substantial chunk of money into a retirement plan, life without kids offers a multitude of experiences that are much harder to come by when you’re raising little humans. On the flip side, life with kids, can open you to a completely different side to life, transform your very notion of existence, and can present you with a unique opportunity to leave a legacy behind.
Here's our pick of Pros and Cons of what we think are the trade-offs.
Pros:
More of your free time can be devoted for self-care and for other relationships - planning your next holiday, expanding your social circle, taking up a new hobby has never been easier.
You can dedicate more of your time to your career or to other interests that will help the world as a whole - participating in noble causes or programs is just an application away, flexibility is your strength.
The world will be less crowded and resources less depleted - although studies and the data indicate that the population growth have significantly withered over the years and as a result have caused serious issues to a countries economy, be it with jobs, the socio-economic status or in some cases, single women and men finding it extremely enduring to meet their match.
You leave a smaller carbon footprint - for every child a woman bears, her lifetime emissions increase 5.7 times, diapers being one of the main culprits. Sustainable, biodegradable diapers for the win?
You have more of a disposable income - the gross cost of raising one child in the US is estimated to be around $240,000, which excludes tax rebates, Government grants, free Education, Maternity/Paternity Leaves, child discounts which can bring this number down significantly.
You are less stressed - although quite relative to every couple’s situation. Studies have shown very little difference here to both sides contrary to popular opinion of child-free couples to be less stressful.
Cons:
You will be a misfit among your peer group - Chances are the majority of your peer group are parents and conversations can more than often lead in the direction of their kids. Kid jargon and activities centered around their little ones can leave you somewhat excluded.
You will miss out on what many consider to be a crucial life role - They are two completely different worlds. Unless you embark on this journey of being a parent yourself, you can never fully understand what you could be missing out on.
Elderly Care - Through personal experience, we’ve seen how much the elderly depend on their children for care and support (definitely not talking about monetary support here). Some only wish they had more kids to come see them often in their elderly homes where they could be cooped up in for the rest of their lives. Friends (often at a similar age) and relatives only have so much they can give.
Children renew your thirst for knowledge and is a constant reminder to be present - knowledge of random facts keeps you curious, kids get interested in the most random things. Children remind you to stop and smell the roses, be conscious of your behaviour and to be a role model at all times.
Leaving behind a legacy - the future becomes a bit more certain now that there is a child who bears your name, and would ultimately receive the torch from you when the time comes.
Random kisses, cuddles and love - It takes one good snuggle with your kid to let a terrible day melt away. Even times when you may be on the verge of losing your cool just reach out and hug your kid.
Not with standing the above, we understand that a mere comparison to determine the advantages and disadvantages cannot be made here. Every person’s life, circumstances and financial position are different. What we see is that, philosophically, being capable to procreate and raise a child gives us more meaning and purpose to our very temporary existence in this planet. And who’s to say that yours or my child won’t be the next president who changes it all for the better or the next scientist who invents or discovers a crucial drug or instrument for prolonging our dwindling presence here on earth. Don’t settle for your other half’s opinion on the question, the choice is always yours to make, just choose your trade-offs wisely.
