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Originally Posted by
justakiwi
I get it. There is no easy answer. But at the same time I think the “if you can’t afford to have kids you shouldn’t have them” argument, is oversimplifying things.
No, not really. It is as simple as that. If people don't get that the first responsibility of a parent is to look after your child then so many other lessons will be lost
Quote:
Originally Posted by
justakiwi
For most low and middle income earners the reality is if they wait until they can afford to have kids, they would never have them.
Having children is a privilege not a right. To enjoy that privilege sometimes sacrifices may need t0 be made. And perhaps some people (or at least their offspring) are better off not reproducing. (i wont even go into the argument of limited families depending on socio-economic status)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
justakiwi
At the same time, we need a certain level of population growth.
Do we? Really!. People cant argue the need to take money off us to prevent global warming on one hand and then take money off us to keep the population growing on the other. That just doesn't make sense.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
justakiwi
So, either we are a nation where only the rich have babies, or we face the fact that we as a country need to be willing to offer some financial support to parents along the way.
You are self limiting your argument by suggesting only the rich will have children. It is always possible for others to have and raise families - it just needs to be within their means.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
justakiwi
As a mother of four now grown children I was fortunate to be raising them at a time when we could afford to live off one income, so I was able to be at home and focus on raising our children. That is no longer the norm.
Mortgage/interest rates, inflation and unemployment rates are all at historic levels. This is as good as it gets.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
justakiwi
I’m not saying this government will get it all right. No government would. But I think they are smarter than many believe, and I think we have every reason to feel optimistic. Rome wasn’t built in a day however so lets just see how things pan out over the next 6 months before writing them off.
It is far too early in this governments cycle to even think that they might be smart - only time will tell