i honestly think 80% of people arent ready .i dont think its selfish.what affects are socicety is when people get spoiled to death when they have there own kids.its good to have fanily help u and stuff but its you and ur wife/husband/gf or bf.not everyone else should take care of your kids ..you should.

In a way yes. I think there's been a lot of media scaremonging recently about women waiting until they are older to have kids because they want to establish their careers first, and how this is somehow selfish. I find this incredibly irritating, because I would say that one of the advantage of waiting until you're in your early thirties to have children is that you are much more likely to be in a stable position to give your children the best upbringing possible (not just financially, but personally and relationship-wise). I'm not saying that children should be spoilt, but stability is important when you're young and having parents unsure whether they'll have anywhere to live next month, struggling to buy your school uniform is not an ideal way to live. However you look at it, a child costs a lot of money. Deciding to have a child at 23 might be good in terms of fertility, but you will almost certainly struggle to support it. Whatever the Beatles may have claimed, in the real world love is not ALL you need. You also need clothes, food, and a roof over your head for a start. I do think there are a lot of women having children too young, before they are ready. Finance is only one aspect of this- but I feel that a lot of young mums are still trying to find out who they are themselves, trying to find their feet in the world, establish a career, get an education- its difficult, if not impossible, to do all that with a child in tow demanding time, attention and money, money, money. Also they often find the father of their child isn't the one for them after all- and more upheaval follows. I think it much better to live out your twenties as you, concentrating on your career, saving money, paying off debts, finding the partner you want to spend your life with, doing everything you need to do, and then start trying for a baby when you're actually ready to devote it the time, resources and attention it needs without feeling resentful or bitter. I would never advocate abortion on grounds of financial hardship, but I think planning to have a child before you can even really afford to look after yourself is slightly selfish, and ever so slightly naive.

Yes, I have no problem with someone getting help from the government b/c they fell on hard times. However, if you already don't have the money to raise a child it is extremely selfish to expect the government to give you financial support. This is why I commented to another question that people need to be emotionally and financially capable of having children.

I think it is selfish if you're planning children knowing you cant afford to take care of them without help from the state.

YES!!!! My sister did that at age 15 (first kid) and now is adeadbeat living off the kansas govenrment, Section 8 housing, no job, car or any money of her own. And worst she exposes her now 3 kids to a abusive boyfriend. I hope that someone calls the cops on him and SRS on her. She doesnt deserve her kids at all, she treats them like trash. She dependent on the govenrment too much. The taxpayers pay good money to help people not support them the whole way through. They need help mot full fledged assistance. Sorry about the most of the content, yoiu found a soft spot that makes me mad.

Yes.very selfish. Financially ready does not have to mean wealthy. But you should be able to provide for your children's needs without the taxpayer's help. You are also not doing your children any favors either, as they often do not get anything except the bare neccessities...if those.

Not if it happens by accident and you are determined to work very hard to sort out your finances as soon as you can, because I beleive it is ok to accept some help but only to get the ball rolling . You also have to know with all your heart that you will love and encourage that child so much he or she will strive for better things and be successful in whatever they want to do with their life :)

I wouldn't say selfish. Some people may have limited time due to medical reasons, and have to have childen while their bodies are able. The life ambition of some people could be to have children. I would say instead of selfish, these people are ill prepared. I think society is affected by losing valuable tax money supporting those children with parents that can not support them. I do not think taxpayer support should be shut off for them though. We should not punish children for lack of preparation by their parents. Because of that moral issue, the situation will continue to get worse, unfortunately, as parents know the government will help pick up the slack.