It seems like most people's parenting instincts kick on after they have a child, though, or during pregnancy.
It would be really interesting to see if parents who strongly desired children before having them make better parents; it's possible that they do, but because the feelings are so biologically rooted in many this may not be the case.
The important thing is being planned so the mother can take prenatal vitamins and avoid alcohol, etc.
But in terms of unplanned children, for many people having a child by accident (even unwanted a first) turns their lives around for the better and they become good parents and better people because of it. Something to think about.
Of course we must always have the option for abortion (and make it socially acceptable) for people who really don't want children and don't change their minds when faced with the immediate prospect.
That is a serious issue. And I think you're right that in this case (fostering) you really want people who want children and not those who are motivated by the money and maybe biased to adopt anyway because of it.
On the good side the money could motivate an effective altruist who loves children and knows that he or she can then spend more money on charity because less is required to raise the children due to state support, but it can also motivate people who will be neglectful and see it as a source of income (particularly since those aren't their children).
That would be interesting!
I think the question is why they don't want children. If they otherwise love children and would have liked to have them, but don't because of environmental reasons or belief that it will overpopulate the world, then I think it's worth resolving those concerns and giving them an informed choice.
If it's a legitimate hatred of children (and not say, even, an irrational fear of diapers), that's probably a good call for them to not have them.
Of course nobody should think that the only way to make the world a better place is to have children. Donating to effective charities or spending your time on effective charities is another good way, and that could employ some of the time and money that would have otherwise gone to children.
Of course, that lets you put more resources and care into each child. A huge family can lead to neglect which isn't helpful to anybody. I don't understand how families with 7-8 kids are giving them the necessary individual attention.
That could help a lot.
What do you mean?ModVegan wrote: ↑Sun Nov 12, 2017 5:44 pmOn the other hand, I'm not convinced by the idea - popularized by UV and others - that it's good for vegans to have children because they are likely to become vegans - is a little silly. Certainly, statistics show us that good parents tend to have good kids. But it's hard to get much more specific than that.
We don't have any studies, but I think we have quite a few examples of popular vegans with vegan kids who stick with it and have inspired people in their own ways.
Even more reducetarians in the world probably create positive inspiration in others that offsets their effects (assuming they aren't completely anti-social).
The chances of a complete polarity shift into paleo or the S.A.D. or something seems unlikely.
Just wait until the conservatives outlaw it. It's God's job to choose the genes for the child! Don't mess with HIS plan.