OOTS #1225 - The Discussion Thread

[Grey_Wolf_c]

There are social scientists who argue that we should encourage people to have children because it makes them better adults. People tend to start thinking longer term about society.

That sounds like a terrible idea. Have these social scientists not heard of abusive parents? If people don't want kids, let them not have kids. Heinlein's overarching point in Starship Troopers is terrible, but I do agree with this:

“Young man, can you restore my eyesight?” “Sir? Why, no, sir!” “You would find it much easier than to instill moral virtue—social responsibility—into a person who doesn’t have it, doesn’t want it, and resents having the burden thrust on him.”

And in a rare case of overlap, this is what Pratchett has to say on the subject:

“Sometimes I really think people ought to have to pass a proper exam before they're allowed to be parents. Not just the practical, I mean.”

Parenthood is not for the unready. I approve of the objective of assisting some people grow up, but I draw the line at using a baby for that, because if they turn out to not be ready or capable of growing up? The one that'll suffer is the baby.

Grey Wolf