<p>Hmm, I don't plan on having a family either.. this option would open the possibility of a corporate law career should I ever take strong interest in it. I guess one benefit of not having a family is having a lot of free time to devote to one's career.</p>
<p>^^^they have special time-travel abilities and can see the future. Didn't you know? :p</p>
<p>How do you know you won't be interested in a diffrent field, say teaching, than what you currently 'know' what you'll be doing 4+ years from now? Currently, I don't know what I'd like to do. I'd say computer programming, or game design (preferrably the latter) but since getting jobs in these jobs is getting harder and harder, medical is usually horrible, starting pay can really be terrible, and jobs are going to bigger studios (with game design) which leads to less creativity and more desk jobs (such as sitting in a little cubicle making a lighter work on some cutscene=not my idea of fun) I pretty much know I won't go into that.</p>
<p>I realize that my interests might change in college. Right now, I'm thinking about international diplomacy, teaching, law (family/child law, human rights law, corporate law), and journalism. Maybe I will find a job just slightly related to one of these fields, but I'm saying that I can afford to devote lots of time to my career, like 10-12 hours a day if necessary. I must love it before I go into it.</p>
<p>I think people are just being realistic about their priorities, not necessarily trying to predict their futures. It's simply unwise to have children if you aren't prepared to devote a significant amount of time to them. If you're ambitious, and you know you wouldn't be willing to make sacrifices in your career, don't have kids — it wouldn't be fair to you or to them.</p>
<p>Unless you plan on working 6AM to 10PM, you'll find time for your kids. If you work those kinda hours...why bother? But then again why bother work at those hours? If you work those kind of hours, where would you find time for yourself? I mean, money is subjective. If you make 100K working 9-5, or make 500K but work 6-10, which one is worth it?</p>
<p>Cost of raising a child : <a href="http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/CollegeandFamily/Raisekids/P37245.asp%5B/url%5D">http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/CollegeandFamily/Raisekids/P37245.asp</a></p>
<p>That's not too bad, actually. 7000? That's manageable for even a College student. The housing part is stupid. Unless you have 5 kids when you're 20, it's not like you're paying axtra for an apartment because you have a kid :/
Food seems to be a good fugure if you shop for bargains. (i.e: $1 baby food)
Transportation is speculative.
350 for baby clothes?!? Are you kidding me? That's WAY too high.
The rest seems to be an okay figure. Either way, it's not THAT expensive</p>
<p>
Wow. Just... wow. I hope you don't have kids then? They're not for everyone. Do you think it would've been better if your parents never had you at all?</p>
<p>I'm sure people can always find time for their kids. Just having time for kids doesn't mean one should have kids. Some people don't want kids and live happy fulfilling lives. It's a choice and it's not for everyone. As for asking if my parents should have never had me at all (I'm adopted so I guess they didn't want me but I digress) it was their choice to have me in their lives. They wanted a child, but not everyone does.</p>
<p>Having and raising kids can be a pain, but it sure beats dying alone and forgotten in a nursing home!</p>
<p>I've reached the age (23, nearly 24) where my friends are settling down and having kids. You'd think that seeing my friends with their kids would make me want one, not so. Completely the opposite, in fact. I can honestly say that watching those children throw tantrums in stores or restaurants full of people, puke all over a new coat, and ruin vacations makes me dislike children even more than before I had any personal experience. </p>
<p>I freely admit that I'm selfish- and have no real problem with being so. The real problem that I have is with people who think I'm a horrible person for never wanting kids. I've been yelled at by numerous old ladies about my decision to not have kids, it drives me crazy. Sorry, but I'll never sacrifice my life, time, or body for some squalling kid that I don't even want just because society dictates that I should procreate.</p>
<p>Dot Parker,
i see your point and commend you for not having kids-the big problem is that many like you regret the postopnement and start having kids in their 30's. I believe this to be the cause in the spike of premature babies, autism and other incurable diseases.</p>
<p>People are settling down and having kids at 23 and 24?!!?!</p>
<p>
[quote]
the big problem is that many like you regret the postopnement and start having kids in their 30's. I believe this to be the cause in the spike of premature babies, autism and other incurable diseases.
[/quote]
Actually, the risk of congenital defects (Down's Syndrome comes to mind) only increases significantly if the mother is over 40.
[quote]
People are settling down and having kids at 23 and 24?!!?!
[/quote]
Agree — eek! Sounds atypical to me.</p>
<p>
[quote]
People are settling down and having kids at 23 and 24?!!?!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I've been in three weddings this summer and have two friends who are currently expecting. It's more than a little horrifying....</p>
<p>The worst part is that these are all fairly intelligent, well-educated women who once said they'd rather have a career over a family.</p>
<p>^So they all went to college?</p>
<p>All but one, but she's starting at a 2-year school in the fall. One of the two women who are expecting has a masters. She's 26.</p>
<p>
Ha, I'm just relieved and glad that no child will have to have you as their parent!</p>
<p>dot_parker, I know how you feel.</p>