People are animals

And I mean that in the nicest possible way. We are herd animals and in the wild, we live in tribes. We are (most of us) conditioned to find a partner and procreate. If we didn't think so much, that, and foraging for food, would take up most of our day. Sex is enjoyable and without some kind of chemical/surgical intervention, we'd be over-run with kids, because, no matter how sensible you are, the thought of having kids is less terrible than the thought of never having sex again (and yes, I do know that you can have sex without risking pregnancy).

Most people find that, like other animals, you become fiercely protective of your children as soon as they are born - it's called bonding and instinct (and yes...etc.). There is no good reason to have children, and logically, you may well be 'better off' without them. We had a baby when we were head over heels in love and too young and stupid to know any better - living in a bedsit with no real jobs, no prospects etc. Our one child has left us up to our eyeballs in debt as we always put her needs and her future before our own - it's what you do when you're a (good) parent. Between the ages of around 14 and 19 she was a right royal pain and she gave us very little except stress and aggravation. Now, at 21, she is a joy again and we're hoping for some grandchildren in the not-too-distant-future.

I can't give you a reason for having children, except that you are an animal, and animals mate to pass on their genes.

What are you waiting for?
(Che Grimsdale Best before:, Fri 16 Jan 2009, 10:34, Reply)