[sconadian]

Canada's birth rate has always been pretty low. We rely heavily on immigration to bump up our population numbers. I honestly believe that it is your duty as a Canadian to have at least 1 kid. Not because I'm a bible thumper or anything. I just don't want to see the population of Canadians continue to decline while the population of immigrants continue to balloon.

Vote!

[Greco Roman]

I just don't want to see the population of Canadians continue to decline while the population of immigrants continue to balloon.

I think you are in for a rough ride with this comment.

Yes, I do plan to have kids; got to meet the future Mrs., though.

[mr.x]

Uh huh....we are a nation of immigrants you prick.


And personally, I'll do the non-selfish thing and adopt. This planet doesn't need more people when billions out there are without a home and starving.

[Rico Rommheim]

And personally, I'll do the non-selfish thing and adopt. This planet doesn't need more people when billions out there are without a home and starving.

EXACTLY.

[401_King]

meh, even if you had 1 kid its still not enough sconadian.... you need like 2.3 or something just to KEEP the current population (compensating for old ppl). immigration will always exist.

[sconadian]

Uh huh....we are a nation of immigrants you prick.


You know what I mean http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Rico Rommheim]

immigration will always exist.

But sconadian resents immigration because after all sconadian is a native, or is he scottish-canadian?

[harls]

Too late.

[0773|=\]

...Not because I'm a bible thumper or anything. I just don't want to see the population of Canadians continue to decline while the population of immigrants continue to balloon...


Buddy, why do you make comments like this? Seriously... I understand that you're starting this thread with good intentions, but why do you have to attempt to piss so many people off in the process?

Did it ever occur to you that there might be immigrants, Christians, all kinds of people who participate on this forum? Are immigrants really negative contributions to a country? Do you think that Christians or 'Bible thumpers' as you so eloquently put it all believe that they have to reproduce like rabbits?

I'd encourage you to actually investigate some of these questions before you start perpetuating all these myths, ruin threads, and get yourself banned in the process.

[Ayreonaut]

People plan for kids? My parents lied to me???

Seriously though, I've always thought a son and daughter would be nice. But that's a few years down the road yet.

[Rico Rommheim]

and get yourself banned in the process.

That's not such a bad thing actually!

[samne]

Im a new parent...its very cool!

I'd love to have another, but im still concentrating on this one.

I dont think its as easy as it once was to have multiple kids for a number of reasons.

First, to earn a decent living you need some education, then get into the work force. This already takes some years. Secondly, to live in a place like Toronto costs money. A large enough living space for a large family is expensive.

Im in my early thirties and my friends are just beginning to have their first kids. Im not sure if its the factors that I just metioned or we're a different generation that wants other things in life as well.

[Architype]

It's partly true, and not totally predjudice to think that Canadians should have more kids. In Quebec, and NL they are or were paying people to have more. The issue of immigration should not be confused with this. Immigration is good, but we also need to have a healthy number of citizens who are born here in order to sustain our "Canadian" culture(s), and who are well versed in our languages and society, rather than a majority who are new to our culture and languages, or know little about Canada.

[someone123]

^This is an issue that is perceived very differently in different parts of the country.

In Quebec and the Atlantic region it is basically held as self-evident by many people that there is a strong local culture that is worth preserving (this is also true to varying degrees in many of the countries that immigrants come from). It's not even on the radar in a place like Vancouver.

As for kids, I have no particular desire at this point.

[Aylmer]

I AM a kid!

:)

[niwell]

I just don't want to see the population of Canadians continue to decline while the population of immigrants continue to balloon.

Vote!

Yay for racism!!!

[1ajs]

theres to many people on this planet already

[Architype]

Yay for racism!!!

It's not the same as racism, even though he may have written it that way, many Canadians are of different races. Race doesn't matter as long as you identify with and have good knowledge of the country you are living in.

[mylesmalley]

http://static.myopera.com/upic/pool2/3_/1nB/bQwX8w9OnTlCpMlj1Sgb20/21449_l.jpg
"Ooh, kids! Back a-way, not today! Disco Laday"

That said, I'm not all that crazy about kids. I do find it funny when people quote the 2.3 kids per mother stat. It's pretty hard to have .3 of a child. /joke.

[niwell]

It's not the same as racism, even though he may have written it that way, many Canadians are of different races. Race doesn't matter as long as you identify with and have good knowledge of the country you are living in.

Fair enough, we can just refer to it as xenophobia.

Regardless, I find the topic this thread incredibly offensive and reprehensible.

[vid]

My cousin has six. I think that makes up for my not having any.

(She's native, btw. Not an immigrant! :))

[Bedford_DJ]

I'm defenitely too young to have kids...:cool:

For some reason two has always been stuck in my head but I think I'll let the future Mrs. Bedford_DJ decide....

Maybe someone should start a thread asking how old people are on this forum? I've always wanted to know....

[MsMe]

No I never had any.
I was smart and let others have them, then I borrowed them and sent them back. It was much better. :haha:

[Ayreonaut]

My uncle is one of 14.

Maybe someone should start a thread asking how old people are on this forum? I've always wanted to know....

One of those pops up every so often in the Skybar.

[MonkeyRonin]

I honestly believe that it is your duty as a Canadian to have at least 1 kid.

What about our duty as humans to bring about a more sustainable population? Certainly that is more important than keeping out those spooky foreigners?

And I also love the loaded question in the poll - what with the only option for not wanting kids being a derogatory term (and a pretty big assumption at that).


Immigration is good, but we also need to have a healthy number of citizens who are born here in order to sustain our "Canadian" culture(s), and who are well versed in our languages and society, rather than a majority who are new to our culture and languages, or know little about Canada.

Being born in Canada does not intrinsically make that individual any more well-versed in "Canadian culture" than an immigrant. Besides, cultures change over time. Big deal, get over it.

[Bedford_DJ]

One of those pops up every so often in the Skybar.

Opps. Well I've already made a thread on it...

[Architype]

Fair enough, we can just refer to it as xenophobia.

Regardless, I find the topic this thread incredibly offensive and reprehensible.

I agree it's a touchy subject. I live in an area where most of the people I deal with are from another country, and I have no problem with that. I have found that they don't have much knowledge about the country though outside of where they live. I don't fault them for that - their children will be a different story having been born here.

[vid]

Think whatever you wish, but there are so many native families have lots of kids then going on welfare. They treat their children as a cash cow for some extra $$$$, therefore mistreating them.

This is called ignorance.

Markus doesn't understand the history of our native people and the effects that trying to remove a culture from a generation of people would have on their children in the future.

When children were taken away from their families and put into residential schools, their language was literally beaten out of them. As a result, when they went home, they were unable to communicate effectively with their parents and grandparents and other community leaders. (In native culture, the village raises the children, because the future generation is important.) As a result, a generation of native people lost its ability to lead a tradition way of life, including the knowledge of how to raise children. Due to the inadequate education they received at the residential schools, they also lacked the ability to effectively communicate in English and raise children the "white" way. As a result, we had a generation of native people with no real life skills, who didn't feel like they fit into either culture.

The generation raising future generations lacked proper skills to raise children, therefore the generation they raised also lacked those skills, and so on. As much as you don't want to accept it, many of the problems native people face is a result of the attempted removal of their culture by the church on behalf of the government at the time.

This is just one of several sources for the problems native people face today. (The reserve system is another big one.)

Welfare fraud does exist in native communities (a very notable example involved the council of Fort William First Nation). White people also commit welfare fraud (and in one case that I know of, neither kid is well educated and one has been committing crime since he was about 9), but I'm not going to generalize them.

[sconadian]

Yay for racism!!!

How is that racist? I'd like to see the population of Canadians rise because of the ballooning population of immigrants. Like someone else said, Canadians can be of any race, as long as they have a good understanding of and contribute to our society. The huge influx of immigrants (which can also be from any country) is harmful to our culture because they usually don't assimilate. This topic has been discussed many times in the states on major news channels and has never caused any problems. Its a known fact down there. Stop being so touchy

[vid]

The huge influx of immigrants is harmful to our culture because they usually don't assimilate.

YOU'RE telling ME! :no:

The fuck is it with white people and forcing others to be like them? Are we that insecure?

[MsMe]

Don't forget many many years ago the real true Canadians were the natives.

[sconadian]

YOU'RE telling ME! :no:

The fuck is it with white people and forcing others to be like them? Are we that insecure?

White people are by far the most lenient of people

Other countries are much stricter in their enforcement of assimilation

People from India come to Canada, drive around blasting Bangra music and wearing burkahs and its all good. Yet a white girl moves to India, walks around in a mini skirt and a tank top and there are problems.

[Ayreonaut]

The most important part of Canadian culture is that it's a mix of cultures from around the world.

[vid]

White people are by far the most lenient of people

Yes, this is only after they realized that trying to wipe out other cultures just caused more problems. Whites don't even get along with other whites. You're right that hatred of other cultures exists in every culture, though.

Other countries are much stricter in their enforcement of assimilation

People from India come to Canada, drive around blasting Bangra music and wearing burkahs and its all good. Yet a white girl moves to India, walks around in a mini skirt and a tank top and there are problems.

I'd like to see her blast Bangra music and wear a burka in the rural part of any white country! Hell even some big cities can be intolerant. And since when is Bangra music and burkas part of the same culture?

Go to Europe. They say they're diverse but hatred of other cultures is alive and well, even in immigrant communities. Likewise, India has many people who are tolerant of other cultures in their cities. Rural areas are much more conservative but you will find conservative people in cities as well, just like you do here.

[Bedford_DJ]

I personally love the "mosaic" of international immigrants in Canada. Especially in urban areas where thanks to the numbers you can get cool shops unique food from countries you've never visited...

[Greco Roman]

Yes, this is only after they realized that trying to wipe out other cultures just caused more problems. Whites don't even get along with other whites. You're right that hatred of other cultures exists in every culture, though.
To be fair though, any group from one race may not get along with another group from that same race. Just as many East Indians, Oriental, Africans, Natives, ect. have gangs that attack each other all over the place as Caucasians do.

There is no "one race is more violent than all others" in this case.

[1ajs]

The most important part of Canadian culture is that it's a mix of cultures from around the world.
DITTO

[vid]

Yes, I believe I covered that in the latter part of my post. Many Inuit do not get along with Dene, the Sioux and Ojibwe have a pretty rough past, etc., and then there are local level gangs between families or communities, etc. This kind of behaviour is also noted in chimpanzees.

[sconadian]

Yes, this is only after they realized that trying to wipe out other cultures just caused more problems. Whites don't even get along with other whites. You're right that hatred of other cultures exists in every culture, though.

Whites don't get along with other whites. Blacks don't get along with other blacks. Orientals don't get along with other orientals. etc.



I'd like to see her blast Bangra music and wear a burka in the rural part of any white country! Hell even some big cities can be intolerant. And since when is Bangra music and burkas part of the same culture?

I see it all the time. Go to abbottsford, go to chiliwack. I don't know about where you live but the chance of immigrants, especially people of colour, running into problems in a rural area of BC is 0%


Go to Europe. They say they're diverse but hatred of other cultures is alive and well, even in immigrant communities. Likewise, India has many people who are tolerant of other cultures in their cities. Rural areas are much more conservative but you will find conservative people in cities as well, just like you do here.
I could care less about Europe. This thread is about Canada....

[Greco Roman]

This kind of behaviour is also noted in chimpanzees.

One way to asses how we are related to primates :D

[niwell]

White people are by far the most lenient of people



Wait, did you actually just say that???

Yep, I guess you did.

Wow........

[MonctonRad]

It's too late, I already have three kids.

Wait......can I reconsider? :haha:

Seriously, it is important to have kids; for a variety of reasons but most importantly to help maintain our current society. You can not depend entirely upon immigration to support future growth in our country. There has to be a blend of natural growth and immigration to allow for a healthy increase in Canada's population.

It shouldn't be too much of a hardship to boost our natural fertility rate back above 2.00 :tup:

[MsMe]

And this thread was about having children not culture and racism.

[MonkeyRonin]

I just don't want to see the population of Canadians continue to decline while the population of immigrants continue to balloon.

Immigrants are Canadians.


People from India come to Canada, drive around blasting Bangra music and wearing burkahs and its all good. Yet a white girl moves to India, walks around in a mini skirt and a tank top and there are problems.

Wrong country, retard.


White people are by far the most lenient of people


Prove this.


And this thread was about having children not culture and racism.

"I just don't want to see the population of Canadians continue to decline while the population of immigrants continue to balloon."

Yeah, don't think so.

[vid]

And this thread was about having children not culture and racism.

It was likely created to bait people into making controversial comments so the original poster could advance his political views, which he takes no effort to hide in the original post and the poll accompanying it.

[harls]

Sconadian‚ quit being a jack-ass or you are gone.... you have pushed WAY too many buttons, guy...

[Cambridgite]

Well, I'm glad to see that people are still capable of being offended without my help. :)

Wait, did you actually just say that???

Yep, I guess you did.

Wow........

The day that the vast majority of non-white countries upon their doors to mass immigration, multiculturalism, and preaching self-hate about their own histories, I will consider your viewpoint. ;)

[Cambridgite]

I personally love the "mosaic" of international immigrants in Canada. Especially in urban areas where thanks to the numbers you can get cool shops unique food from countries you've never visited...

Okay, sure. If it wasn't for immigration, I would never have met most of the wonderful people that are in my life. But does the entirety of the Western world need to be a mosaic? Personally, I find it saddening to look at some European cities in the International photos section and find that large swaths of my ancestral homeland look more like India and Pakistan than England. I guess these feelings are wrong...I must be a hater.

Besides, you don't need to become a minority in your own country to learn about other cultures and try exotic foods. There is such a thing as being knowledgable about the world while remaining true to your roots.

Go to Europe. They say they're diverse but hatred of other cultures is alive and well, even in immigrant communities. Likewise, India has many people who are tolerant of other cultures in their cities. Rural areas are much more conservative but you will find conservative people in cities as well, just like you do here.

I sympatize with the Europeans. Granted, while I don't have much sympathy for the skinhead gangs of Russia, I am glad to see the rise of parties like the BNP. Like anyone else, they just want to preserve their culture and carry forth their identity. Most of the world is still like this and it will take a lot of multicultural propaganda to change human nature.

[Ayreonaut]

An evolving culture in European cities will take nothing away from their history.

[Cambridgite]

An evolving culture in European cities will take nothing away from their history.

Yes, but they have every right to want it to evolve, not devolve. Above all, listen to the people. The many riots that have taken place are a sure sign of civil unrest. Instead of the government telling people how to think and feel, they should be reacting to how their people think and feel. The so called "evolving culture" has been forced on them with no say. People don't like being pushed into a corner and if the government listened instead of doing all the talking, I'm sure arrangements could be worked out to benefit all parties. First, we need to get past this idea that ethnocentrism is thoughtcrime.

[Doug]

I never really thought about it at all and then ended up having 5 kids over 7 years. You've never experienced absolute chaos until you've spent some time at my house :)

[MolsonExport]

what if you already have children?

[MolsonExport]

White people are by far the most lenient of people

Other countries are much stricter in their enforcement of assimilation

People from India come to Canada, drive around blasting Bangra music and wearing burkahs and its all good. Yet a white girl moves to India, walks around in a mini skirt and a tank top and there are problems.

You silly tool.

You don't even have to leave your country and there are problems.


Stop embarrasing yourself.

[MolsonExport]

Canada's birth rate has always been pretty low. We rely heavily on immigration to bump up our population numbers. I honestly believe that it is your duty as a Canadian to have at least 1 kid. Not because I'm a bible thumper or anything. I just don't want to see the population of Canadians continue to decline while the population of immigrants continue to balloon.
Vote!

what a xenophobic statement. Sebastrooperisms.

[someone123]

what if you already have children?

Then I guess you vote based on how more you want, plus how many you intend to keep? :sly:

Hopefully the number is at least as large as the current count.

[The Jabroni]

Well, after reading through this topic, it sure has gone to hell. As a Filipino born Canadian, I find some of the comments here very offensive.

Shame on these people for their sheer arrogance and ignorance.

[MichaelS]

It's too late, I already have three kids.

Wait......can I reconsider? :haha:

Seriously, it is important to have kids; for a variety of reasons but most importantly to help maintain our current society. You can not depend entirely upon immigration to support future growth in our country. There has to be a blend of natural growth and immigration to allow for a healthy increase in Canada's population.

It shouldn't be too much of a hardship to boost our natural fertility rate back above 2.00 :tup:

I would think the most important reason to have children is because you and your partner want to expand your loving family ;) .

[Bigtime]

1 on the way and planning for 2 at the most.

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

I've been told by my parents(Mom Quebecois blood, but Ontario born, dad Ecuadorian) that I am to provide them with AT LEAST two grandchildren. Although they say that I am more than welcome to take my time and get settled in my career once I graduate college. :haha:

[artvandelay]

Haven't really thought about it but 1 or 2 at most. Wouldn't mind being a DINK either though.

[MsMe]

Well I had to vote as a dink since sink isn' there.

[Acajack]

I have two and would have loved to have one or two more but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen.

[Rico Rommheim]

Why isn't this thread closed already? Obviously this isn't about how many children some of us have, this is about proving how lenient white people are by measuring how intolerant some of them are.

[Arriviste]

Scondian, I have a question for you... Who are these Canadians that you claim are disappearing? And secondly why do you care?

The first Hindu temple in Canada was built in like 1876. That is almost 8 generations. Are they Canadian enough for you? What about the Chinese laborers who were here for much of the last half of the 19th century? How do they fit in?


I'm with the poster that says he will adopt. I can think of nothing more selfless and better for society than adopting.

[MsMe]

this is about proving how lenient white people are by measuring how intolerant some of them are.

Not always, I never had them cause I couldn't due to health issues.

[miketoronto]

I think this is an interesting thread. The issue of having kids is a big one for first world countries, and the low birth rate in a way kind of shows what society is like in this day and age.
For the most people, people treat families and kids as a liabilty, instead of actually an asset and something that is worth having.

People are just wrapped up in work and all that, and family and kids comes second. Unless that view changes, I think you will continue to see people having less kids or not having them at all.

I come from a big family, where I have something like 19 first cousins, and that does not even count their husbands, wives, and their kids. When my family gets together it is like 60-70 people. And that to me is fun. There is nothing like having family around you. So overall I think it would be great to have kids.

Also so many people go on about the expense of havings kids, etc. However I think that is often an excuse. The problem today is parents think their kids need all the newest toys and baby things that come out. No one wants to bunk two kids to a room anymore, or have them take the bus, etc.
Its no wonder kids cost money. But if you live a simple regular life like many of our parents did, then there is no reason you can't have kids and afford them.

[MsMe]

[QUOTE=miketoronto;3931866]There is nothing like having family around you.[QUOTE]

Only if the family are nice. Mine are evil, vindictive and vicious. So I avoid mine as much as I can or have no contact at all with them.

[Rico Rommheim]

[QUOTE=miketoronto;3931866]There is nothing like having family around you.[QUOTE]

Only if the family are nice. Mine are evil, vindictive and vicious. So I avoid mine as much as I can or have no contact at all with them.

Same here, being around them is being around poison.

[Metro-One]

I think the topic of this thread is important, but very poorly phrased. Canada is built on immigration, but you can not have uncontrolled immigration rates. Uncontrolled immigration will lead to a divided nation. You do need some melting pot policies to take place. A very good example is when a SMALL sector of the canadian muslim population wanted to establish islamic law (it is not called islamic law, but for the life of me i can not remember the name) in Canada. This pretty much meant these people wanted to have the right to be abusive to the woman and children in their household. So this is an issue to be concerned about, it is not the loss of the english/french languages or other such aspect of Canadian culture i am worried about, but it is the loss of basic human rights and our socialist approach to politics that i am worried of losing. While many parts of the world are overpopulated, Canada is not, and people should be having more children here. Immigration brings fresh new ideas and diversity, which is great, but uncontrolled immigration could divide the nation, transplanting unwanted world divides/debates into canada, and therefore possibly increase crime and violence. What is happening in many European countries (such as France) is a good example to what can happen when you do not properly introduce immigrant to your nation's culture and social values. Anyone is welcome to Canada, but they have to understand they are moving into a foreign nation, and if they do move here they can not act and do as they please as they did back home, they have to respect our social values and legal system. Moving to Canada should not be a free ride, this nation offers immigrant and its native born citizens many rights and privileges seldom seen in world history and even the world today, so we should all respect our nation and look to the future. Also why would someone not want to have kids, do they not understand how lonely and bored and what a *possible* burden to society they may become when they become older?

Bottom line is people should not think of this as a non issue, and it is not racist or hateful to worry bout the future of your nation and social values, for one could be equally concerned about the consequences of an uncontrolled influx of Americans into Canada.

Also, adopting is a great thing to do as well.

[Distill3d]

How is that racist? I'd like to see the population of Canadians rise because of the ballooning population of immigrants. Like someone else said, Canadians can be of any race, as long as they have a good understanding of and contribute to our society. The huge influx of immigrants (which can also be from any country) is harmful to our culture because they usually don't assimilate. This topic has been discussed many times in the states on major news channels and has never caused any problems. Its a known fact down there. Stop being so touchy

well, you certainly don't like to make friends around here do you?

first off, because I was born outside this country I am an immigrant. I have lived in Canada for 26 years. I was educated here. I speak English and Quebecois French. and even though my birth certificate says Ireland, I consider myself a proud Canadian.

I wouldn't go about saying that there is a "ballooning population of immigrants" when I'm sure as shit that you could trace your roots back maybe two generations, if not less.

you're name is Sconadian. which you attribute to being Scottish + Canadian. so, what are you? are you Scottish or are you Canadian? obviously you feel more Scottish than Canadian if you're going about with the Scottish first and Canadian second. last I checked, Scotland was a whole other country. or, do immigrants from the United Kingdom of Great Britain get top bill in the immigration chain? its okay to be from there, but if you're from Norway, India, Madagascar, New Zealand, Venezula, or Belize, you're second class?

I think Sconadian you should go back to school. maybe you should learn that immigrants built this country. I know I'm damn proud of the fact that every country in the world has helped shape this country into what it is. from the Chinese building the railroad, to the Scotsman who invented the telephone, even the Indian that was premier of BC for a year, or the Jamaican that won us a gold medal at the olympics in 1996.



secondly, back to the topic at hand about having kids....

I'm unsure about having kids at the moment. not specifically because of any world economic or environmental situations. its more that I just don't want to start having kids when I'm in my 30's. I mean, I'm 27 now. my girlfriend and I are nowhere near ready for even an engagement, or even a pregnancy scare. hell, we can't even agree what to watch on TV most nights, how the hell are we going to bring a kid into this world? I know that's selfish, but its true.

I've talked to my friends and family about getting a vasectomy, which would be the end of the discussion on me having kids. In the end, it is ultimately my choice. I think I would rather adopt anyways.

[feepa]

ok, I haven't read this thread at all. Just read the poll and the initial post...

thought of this commercial

JC2gIPnUCgw

[Metro-One]

For those who say they would rather adopt, to me that is the same as giving birth, it still means you plan to have and raise kids, therefore you still pass on your personal values and traditions :tup:

[vid]

There is nothing like having family around you.

Only if the family are nice. Mine are evil, vindictive and vicious. So I avoid mine as much as I can or have no contact at all with them.

I can do you one better: My family is as big as Mike's and is evil, vindictive and vicious.

Not all of them, but many. It's very dysfunctional. I have an aunt (one of 5) who is our very own Wicked Witch of the West.

(it is not called islamic law, but for the life of me i can not remember the name)

It's called Sharia. Ontario recognized the Catholic equivalent until the debate over Sharia, as the recognition of the Catholic equivalent was a major argument for the recognition of Sharia. It pissed off the Catholics, but they can't have their cake and eat it too. It's bad enough we give them free religious education.

[miketoronto]

I think the overall issue is that while Canada has always accepted immigrants, we can not rely on just immigration to boost our population levels or keep it stable.

I know this will not happen anytime soon, but what if there was no third world living conditions, and no one needed to immigrate? Canada would be in serious trouble, with nothing but a declining population.

I think population stability or even growth for a country should be met by immigration and also giving birth to our own kids here in Canada.

You can't just rely on one method, which is what most countries are doing right now.
I think US is the only first world country that still has a natural population increase due to births.

A lot of people today feel alone, etc. I think it is because we don't put enough work or thought into relationships and family today. Its just all about rushing between work, work, work.

[Metro-One]

What also worries me is that in a nation that has very few children and youth the politic and social thinking is bound to become narrow minded in general and non progressive. I hate being in DINK neighborhoods in Vancouver, they seem so sterile and devoid of life. I live in a lower income rental neighborhood currently and it is very refreshing to hear children and see them playing. It brings youth and spirit to a community and keeps older people younger longer.

[Acajack]

I can do you one better: My family is as big as Mike's and is evil, vindictive and vicious.

Not all of them, but many. It's very dysfunctional. I have an aunt (one of 5) who is our very own Wicked Witch of the West.




Having your own kids and starting your own family should not be equated with the dysfunctional conglomerations of adults that people have cited as examples here.

First of all, dysfunctional families are usually a by-product of the way today’s adults were raised as children a long time ago. It is usually not that difficult to find the root cause of the problems if one digs into the family’s history.

Now, no family is perfect, but if you raise your kids in an enlightened, positive way then there is relatively little to fear about being surrounded by neurotic nutcase offspring in your old age.

[You Need A Thneed]

I have one, more likely to be on the way shortly.

Despite its challenges, having children is one of the greatest joys in my life. Truly awesome.

[Acajack]

I have one, more likely to be on the way shortly.

Despite its challenges, having children is one of the greatest joys in my life. Truly awesome.

I concur wholeheartedly. Skating at the local rink yesterday holding my two kids' hands beats the hell out of anything I've ever experienced professionally during my career. :tup:

[Mille Sabords]

I never really thought about it at all and then ended up having 5 kids over 7 years. You've never experienced absolute chaos until you've spent some time at my house :)

Much respect from me, man. Five kids. I have two and I think that's chaos. Actually not quite, the boy is peaceful and laughs a lot (nearly 8 months old) - my little girl, 3-1/2, is boisterous and playful, and still jealous of the new little larva that is evidently not going away.

Anyway - as was said by others - kids bring all the joy. They also take away some of the pleasure for the couple. In that respect I've told my wife she is free to give me a gift certificate for the big snip any time she wants. We stop here. :D

[MolsonExport]

I concur wholeheartedly. Skating at the local rink yesterday holding my two kids' hands beats the hell out of anything I've ever experienced professionally during my career. :tup:

Well said. I fully agree (2 kids here...not yet old enough for skating). My son is turning 3 in January, my daughter is just 7 months old. My pride and joy.

[vid]

Almost 3 is certainly old enough for skating. To not have gone skating before going to school in this city is practically blasphemous. They have smaller ponds set aside specifically for the under five crowd. I imagine skates would be expensive though, they're not cheap and kids go through shoes every two months at that age.

[Cambridgite]

Sure, it's good to have lots of kids, but only if you can take care of them!

The problem is when the people who can't take care of their kids seem to have the most kids. Then you have the wealthy DINKs who are caught up in their sex & the city world with no kids, even though they're perfectly capable of having a few. I saw a documentary the other day where there was this White trash single mother and she had like 6 kids. It is terrible what those kids have gone though. She might've been okay with one or two, but it does get to a point where you can't provide a decent life for them (and no, they don't have to live high on the hog).

And for those of you who say you can't afford them, do you think they can afford them in Ethiopia? Nope, but they still have them.

Either way, there isn't much you can do to force people's habits. You can provide incentives and disincentives, but there's no guarantees of those changing anything.

Interestingly, the Nation of Japan has dealt with its labour shortage using robotics. Is Canada smart enough to do the same? Nonetheless, a declining national population would make SSP pretty boring.

[MichaelS]

I'm unsure about having kids at the moment. not specifically because of any world economic or environmental situations. its more that I just don't want to start having kids when I'm in my 30's. I mean, I'm 27 now.

Along this line of thinking, when does everyone think it is too late to start having kids? Maybe some of you on here who say you have some, at what age did you start? I guess I could read through the "what is your age" thread and then look to see if you put your kids age in your post, and figure it out, but this is easier. Distill3d, why don't you want to have any in your 30's if you don't mind me asking?

I would one day like to have kids. At 27 and single, it probably won't happen until I am in my 30s though. And I think that is fine. If anything, I will be that much more "stable" in life and be able to provide an even better environment to raise and support a family.

[The Chemist]

I'm probably going to get married next year, and then we'll probably have 2 kids. How could you get married and not have at least one kid? Or at very least adopt a kid?

[vid]

^ Two kids in China? Which one is going to be the one that hides in the closet when the Authorities come by?

My cousin has six kids, but she has her baby bonus, an employed boyfriend (working at the Indian casino across the border, he is a US Chippewa), his mom, her mom, and a couple friends of the family all raising the kids as well as a good relationship with their teachers. They don't live in luxury or anything (she actually spends her welfare money on *gasp* food, clothes and school supplies for her kids!) but the kids, all six of them, are well cared for and well behaved. Proof that it takes a village to raise a child. Even if you don't have the money to take care of them yourself, you've probably got family that can help you.

[urbanfan89]

One would be enough for me, but first I'll have to find a smart and attractive girl.

[The Chemist]

^ Two kids in China? Which one is going to be the one that hides in the closet when the Authorities come by?


I believe the rules are not as strict if one parent is a foreigner.

[vid]

You believe? Well that makes it ok.

[Distill3d]

Distill3d, why don't you want to have any in your 30's if you don't mind me asking?

I think it comes down to, I would like to retire when I'm 55 - 60. If I have kids just approaching university age when I'm turning 50, I don't see the reality of that happening. call me selfish or what have you, but thats my choice and goal in life.

[matt602]

One, and if it's a boy I'm walking away while I'm ahead of the game.

[flar]

It's too late, I already have one.

[highdensitysprawl]

In that respect I've told my wife she is free to give me a gift certificate for the big snip any time she wants. We stop here. :D

Two for me as well and I stopped. I had the 'big snip' done by a Doctor here in Ottawa who had a phone # something along the lines of 1-866-LAS-TKID.

He had me grinning as he did the procedure telling me funny stories etc. He had something like 7 kids himself so he hadn't self-mutilated himself.

[sconadian]

Basically this thread wasn't made to be racist or insensitive or whatever. I just think its a disturbing trend that doesn't get enough discussion. The fact is white people are having fewer and fewer children. I'm not sure why this is, maybe because its more expensive to raise a family nowadays, maybe our society makes it harder for people to form meaningful relationships, I dunno. But I heard that the population of white people in the world will decrease from 20% of the total world population to something like below 10% in the not too distant future. So I just wanted to make a survey and see the results and compare them with the prediction.

[401_King]

sconadian, what are your thoughts on interracial kids?

[someone123]

I'm not sure why this is, maybe because its more expensive to raise a family nowadays, maybe our society makes it harder for people to form meaningful relationships, I dunno.

I don't actually think reason #1 is true, contrary to popular belief. Most kids are really expensive, sure, but parents buy them all kinds of things they wouldn't have 50 or 100 years ago. The parents themselves also demand more in terms of lifestyle and consumer goods. If the goal were to provide 1950s style living standards then many families would be able to support a large number of children.

Another big difference is that there is a lot less pressure for individuals to get married and have children at a young age. I am not sure I would call those relationships more "meaningful". Often they were pretty terrible, but they succeeded in producing lots of children.

At the end of the day I have to wonder what is so bad about a declining population. Right now Canada has a kind of pyramid scheme going that is based on the assumption that there will always be more and more young people to support the old. This was fine when Canada was practically unpopulated but eventually it will be unsustainable, particularly for a country built around extracting and selling natural resources.

[JDRCRASH]

If I do ever have kids, I wanna have 1 boy and 1 girl. And if I had a choice, I would like them to be twins.

LOL, but i've got alot of growing up to do before that ever happens...

[Distill3d]

I'm not sure why this is, maybe because its more expensive to raise a family nowadays, maybe our society makes it harder for people to form meaningful relationships, I dunno.


well, lets think about this one for a second...

previous centuries European populations were ruled by the Catholic Church. the church also condones the usage of condoms, even to defend against disease. so you had families that had 10 or 11 kids. its not far fetched to go back to some of our parents generations to know someone who was a child in a large family.

now, the church doesn't rule our lives. we've now learned value of the separation of church and state. people are allowed to use condoms, its no longer a crime to be openly homosexual, and most importantly, women are allowed to leave the house and have a job. so, with all of that, of course people are going to have less kids, regardless of skin color.

[MonkeyRonin]

But I heard that the population of white people in the world will decrease from 20% of the total world population to something like below 10% in the not too distant future.

So what? :shrug:

[sconadian]

well, lets think about this one for a second...

previous centuries European populations were ruled by the Catholic Church. the church also condones the usage of condoms, even to defend against disease. so you had families that had 10 or 11 kids. its not far fetched to go back to some of our parents generations to know someone who was a child in a large family.

now, the church doesn't rule our lives. we've now learned value of the separation of church and state. people are allowed to use condoms, its no longer a crime to be openly homosexual, and most importantly, women are allowed to leave the house and have a job. so, with all of that, of course people are going to have less kids, regardless of skin color.

If someone condones something that means they allow it

You meant to say the church didn't condone the usage of condoms

[sconadian]

So what? :shrug:

So nothing

People feel differently about that subject. Your opinion on it will differ from mine.