"We used to say that if ever we did want children, we'd adopt, as there are so many children in need of a loving family.

"At least then, we'd be doing something positive for the world, rather than something negative."

Also want to add: This article and thread are not pointed at anyone on vegweb. I know there are 2 of you with children on the way. I am nothing but happy and excited for both of you as well as your families. If all families were like the both of yours (vegan, compassionate, eco-friendly), this world would be a much better place.

AGREED! on both counts there.

I don't have any problems whatsoever with responsible adults who choose to have children...if you can handle all that it entails to raise a child and teach them to be a positive force in the world, that's great!  It's like voting, really--I don't care who you vote for (that's up to you), as long as you're making informed decisions.  Know what you're getting yourself into, do everything you can to ensure a good life for your baby and your family, and be ready for all the hardships you may encounter.

It's just that I see too many people conceiving when they're really not ready to handle the job.... :-\  but for those who are, again, I congratulate you!

EDIT:  I'd also like to note that I do not condemn anyone who has had unplanned pregnancies...Yes, it's usually best to know if you're ready before conceiving, but certainly, if you're faced with that decision unexpectedly, you can still take those 9 months to prepare yourself as best you can.

healthymomma reminded me to take these other points into consideration:

I actually agree with most of what is said there and had thought about that before I had kids. Then I got pregnant and realized that I am unable to have an abortion. I am totally pro choice, I, however, would not be able to handle the emotional consequences of one. So, accepting the growing life in my belly, I vowed to myself to raise a child with awareness and compassion....

not to say conscious people can't come from sleeping backgrounds, more people are waking up now than ever.

well-put.
/end edit.

and,
I'm hesitant to ever have children for the same reason I decided NOT to be an education major (my school has one of the top ed programs in the country, I think--it was a really viable option at one point)...I don't know if I could be the person that my students would need me to be.  I wouldn't want to become a teacher unless I was certain that I'd be the best d**n teacher I could be for them.  The same goes for having children--I'd hate to be a bad mother.

I've been saying for a long time now...if I am ever financially and mentally stable enough to take on this sort of job, I will adopt.
I'm not so attached to my own genetic material to think that my genes are more worthy to produce offspring than anyone else...I'd rather help out a child in need than make another one.  Heck, I'd love to be like Angelina Jolie and have children from all over the world, as long as I could take care of all of them!

for now though, I'm happy enough to have the family carried on through my sister's beautiful children.

 I've thought for a long while that it would be helpful if governments came up with some common sense incentives to encourage people to practice minus population growth.

 Most of you probably know that if a couple has one child that's considered minus population growth. When those two people die they leave one person behind. If they have two children it's considered zero population growth. Their two children replace them in the population.

 This planet needs minus population growth.

 Here's my idea for the USA at least. Currently, the more children you have the more income tax deductions you get to help defray the cost of raising them. Bad idea. I would double the tax deduction that people normally get for one child. This gives a nice incentive for people who want to reproduce, their standard of living goes up if they have only one. If they had a second child I would take away the deduction altogether. Zero. For every subsequent child I would propose a "reproduction tax" be levied, a substantial one, say $5000 per year.

 This system would reward people who make a negative contribution to the country's population (maybe people with no children should get a nice tax break too?). People who have multiple children should really pay more, at least from a libertarian viewpoint, since they are placing a heavier burden on society in every way (more children to educate, more environmental impact, greater demand for healthcare, more need for infrastructure, etc.).

 Most people with children that I've mentioned this to freak out at the idea. They feel society should help them bear the financial burden of more children. I disagree. If you can't afford 'em, don't have 'em. Society needs to consider making it more expensive to increase the world's population, not less expensive.

i feel the same way as these couples. although the environment wasnt my main reason for deciding to never have children, it was certainly a consideration.  though at times, i had felt "why should i sacrifice myself (and possibly wanting to have kids one day, who knows?) for the good of the whole planet, when so many other people dont care?"
then i remember, thats exactly why!

im not condemming people either, for having children,and certainly no one that ive seen on this board...obviously you are living a great example for our future generations.  but i do think its iimportant for people to really ask themselves 'why" they want children...and it should be okay to decide NOT to have children and not be looked at as a "lesser" woman because of it.

i also completely believe that even though you may not be a parent, you have the potential to influence a child...whether it be thru adoption, mentoring, teaching or general interactions. as adults we impact children, it takes a village to raise the next generation of responsible people. so while i think becoming sterile may be one way of reducing your carbon footprint, it would end w/ us... we also need to educate and inspire the next generation to reduce as well.

  Here's my idea for the USA at least. Currently, the more children you have the more income tax deductions you get to help defray the cost of raising them. Bad idea. I would double the tax deduction that people normally get for one child. This gives a nice incentive for people who want to reproduce, their standard of living goes up if they have only one. If they had a second child I would take away the deduction altogether. Zero. For every subsequent child I would propose a "reproduction tax" be levied, a substantial one, say $5000 per year.

  This system would reward people who make a negative contribution to the country's population (maybe people with no children should get a nice tax break too?). People who have multiple children should really pay more, at least from a libertarian viewpoint, since they are placing a heavier burden on society in every way (more children to educate, more environmental impact, greater demand for healthcare, more need for infrastructure, etc.).

  Most people with children that I've mentioned this to freak out at the idea. They feel society should help them bear the financial burden of more children. I disagree. If you can't afford 'em, don't have 'em. Society needs to consider making it more expensive to increase the world's population, not less expensive.

that's an interesting idea, kbone, but it doesn't take into account the INCREDIBLE amount of people (and MANY MANY women - often ending up as single mothers) who don't plan on having a child, or multiple children, but find themselves parents. that's life, and it''s unfortunate, when people don't plan on having kids but then - oops! and you know, we have so many single mothers, struggling just to get by. is it their fault they have children to raise? is it their fault they got knocked up at 16? fault doesn't really come into it. it's just reality. we can't leave these people behind.

I do agree that we, as a society, need to be aware of the benefits to not having kids. it's sad most of us try to reach the "American Dream" without thinking about what we REALLY want. that's the problem. not everyone, at heart, wants 2.5 kids, a white picket fence, the corporate job and corner office, and a mini van/SUV.

Thank you for posting this.

I have had people in my own family tell me that I am selfish for not having children. I find this statement to be ironic.

I have chosen not to have children for various reasons (I am fertile as far as I know). I was never interested in having them. And as I approach that age where I can no longer have them, I only become less interested in having them. People who do have children view this as a sad thing. That I am missing out...lacking something extraordinary in my life. I can understand that having your own child must be a wondrous amazing thing. But life isn't about haves and have nots. It's about fulfilling what's right for you (and the planet). I'm not going to force myself to have children simply to fit in (be normal) with all the other soccer moms. I see this happening all the time. Individuals who have no real inkling of desire to have children, but do so because of the pressure to fit in with society. THAT to me is just plain sad and selfish. To bring a child into this world out of fear of not being normal. It's horrible how couples feel they must have the house, the two nice cars, children, a dog, a cat, a nice big tv, etc., etc. to feel "okay" about themselves. It's almost like having children is another "goal" to accomplish on their way to having the life that everyone will view as perfect.

I do feel that anyone who adopts these days IS doing an admirable thing for the planet. And, of course, for the child. I think that's a beautiful thing to do. ESPECIALLY for those who really do have that maternal instinct to have their own children.

Like Davedrum says...there are folks on this board who have children. I LOVE that there are some of you who raising your children vegan. I think it's fantastic!

I think there should be more awareness in the media about the benefits of NOT having children, too, though. That it CAN be fulfilling. Think of the analogy of being vegan. Think of the omnis who feel we vegans are depriving ourselves of all the pleasures and health benefits of eating meat. We know that we are not lacking ANYTHING...that in fact, not only do our bodies feel good, but even more than that, it is a wholesome and fulfilling feeling to know we are doing something good for the planet. It is the same with not having children. At least for me. Again, it's not to say that having children is morally wrong. I just wish more people understood that it CAN be fulfilling to not have children (or to adopt). If this idea was more accepted, less people would be having children for the WRONG reasons. If it were more acceptable, I just know there would be so many more couples who don't have children. And I think, personally, this would be a good thing, not only for the unborn child, but for the planet itself.....and for the couple, too.

EDIT: Carrot_wench's edit provoked me to edit as well. I am not talking about unplanned pregnancies in my statements above (not sure if that's clear or not). That's a different matter. My beef is mostly against the couples who willfully have children out of pressure from society.

That is EXACTLY how I feel.  People think I'm selfish or I'm going to miss out on not having kids. I hear this remark a lot "But what about when your older and have no one to take care of you?"

Honestly (I am a teacher too by the way) after working all day I can not IMAGINE taking care of a kid.  Kudos for people that could but I know I can't and do not want to.  I'm fine with my kids I have for 7 hrs a day and that takes A LOT of energy in being the best teacher I can be.

I want to grow spiritually and do the things I haven't done yet (whether that is running, writing, traveling, sleeping late, surfing vegweb  :)). 

I also feel it's sad  that some people feel I need ANOTHER (although it is beautiful) to feel complete and whole.

I would  need to find to  work on your own stuff before I had kid.

So i try to be a good role model to my kids at work, and cause less harm to the planet. 

i have thought a lot about this. i used to say i didn't want children at all, but i'm not sure anymore. if i didn't have children, i am pretty sure i would adopt at some point, but in reading posts by Zealia, I realized it is going to be hard to bring up babies that aren't my own because of feeding practices (either no breastfeeding or partially not vegn, which bothers me). I don't know. I'm just giving it time, and maybe provided someday i find a suitable parter in procreation I will give it more thought.

Very interesting article Davedrum...I kinda feel like hespedal on this too...i didnt and definitely dont want to have kids now, but that thought may change as I come of age and feel ready...adoption would be a great idea to consider in the future but I would want to raise my kids vegan so I don't know how that would come into play.

No one should EVER have children because someone else wants them to, if it isn't a strong desire of their own, IMO. Children should be wanted by their parents.
I made the decision early on in life to not have children, and have stuck with this decision, especially when I look at the state of the world. I feel it is the right decision for me and if I felt the need to be mother, I would adopt.  As long as there are so many children without homes, why create more?
I realize not everyone shares this view, but that's the great thing, we can all make our own choices!