Birth rates have dropped 20% since 2007. I don't think we ever came back from the '08 crash. It's just been smoke and mirrors.

  • came_apart_at_Kmart [he/him, comrade/them]
    ·
    4 months ago

    I decided not to have kids after listening to literally everyone who had kids describe their experiences and not assuming they were weak, stupid or lying.

    • robot_dog_with_gun [they/them]
      ·
      4 months ago

      even if my own experiences as a child didn't put me off forcing someone else to exist, hearing parents talk makes it completely baffling why anyone with a choice would choose to do that to themselves.

      • reverendz [comrade/them]
        ·
        4 months ago

        You literally cannot imagine the doses of oxytocin and dopamine when your kid looks you in the eyes and smiles for the first time. All the wonderful moments are like a goddamn fix.

        It’s literally the only reason (most) parents don’t murder their kids when they’re being shitty little assholes.

        But seriously, you simply don’t realize how heady a hit of emotional bonding-feel good cocktail it is until it happens to you.

        And this is coming from someone who spent half the 90s candy flipping.

      • fox [comrade/them]
        ·
        4 months ago

        It's utterly exhausting and absolutely not something anyone should do without a support network, but it's also the single most rewarding experience in my life. Nothing comes close. Making my child laugh for the first time was better than any drug I've ever done. But unless you're in a good place mentally, socially, financially, don't.

    • American_Badass [none/use name]
      ·
      4 months ago

      Oh, I don't know. I love having kids. It can be a lot, but nothing really touches the feeling of when you come home from work and they all rush to see you. I could see it not being for everyone, though.