alt Hacker NewsI have super-bad genetics. Not so bad that I have an entirely terrible life, but bad enough that I wouldn't wish them on a child. I know they would hate me, since I am aware of how bad my genetics are.
People who have children think having children is the right choice, generally. They have to, to find meaning in all of the work of having and raising a child. That's understandable. But it is by no means the right choice for everyone.
I had a lousy childhood -- not just because of my genetics. There's no license, no mandatory training for having a child. You can just have one. Many parents are not qualified, by any measure. This keeps therapists well-employed.
Only have a child if you would like to be that child. Only have a child if you feel competent, and able, and certain that when they are an adult they will not resent you -- yes, it's natural to have some resentment for your parents, but this is not the sort of resentment I am talking about.
Do not UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES have a child if you're just looking for 'legacy'. Write a book. Give to charity. But this is a terrible reason to have a child! Don't.
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It is completely wild to me that we have apparently reached a stage where eugenics is such an accepted ideology that people will apply it to themselves.
This is disgusting. You deserve to live, and I'm sorry for whatever experiences made you think you shouldn't.
> Only have a child if you feel… certain that when they are an adult they will not resent you.
Resenting one’s parents, even like, a really really lot, is a small price indeed to pay to be alive. The other option is to not exist.
> Do not UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES have a child if you're just looking for 'legacy'
Agreed with that. I couldn't even tell you the names of any of my great grandparents, much less anything above.