[DollarGuru]

Do you believe raising children should be an act of duty and self-sacrifice?

While I would like to raise a family one day the idea of raising children with just being capable of supporting their necessities doesn't appeal to me at all.

If I can't offer them the best start in life or be the parent I wish I had (due to a lack of resources) I would rather not have children.

[barry-cotter]

Read Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids, Bryan Caplan. Most people are glad to have been born, most parents raise happy, healthy children in the industrialized world and in substantial parts of the world outside it, most children would rather have happy parents who spend time with them than more stuff and while you can effect how happy their childhood is you aren’t going to greatly effect their adult outcomes if you parent within the good enough to be allowed to adopt norms.

The best start in life is a start.

[DollarGuru]

My parents kind of had children for selfish reasons and objectively speaking neither of them should have had children.

Now as an adult I have issues that seem to stem from childhood emotional neglect that I struggle with. My sibling isn't that much better emotionally adjusted either.

I wasn't a particularly happy child but neither of them noticed or paid much attention even when they could have.

[rogerkirkness]

I think that's an entirely valid experience, I don't think anyone is arguing having kids of a universal good, but it also can't be seen as a universal bad. Ideally, as close to 100% of people possible are in a position to make a good choice for themselves.

[barry-cotter]

> My parents kind of had children for selfish reasons and objectively speaking neither of them should have had children.

If you or your sibling regret being born I’m sorry for you.