The Question: Is it selfish to choose NOT to be a parent if you’re physically/financially/emotionally capable?
My 2 Cents: As a follower of Christ, I believe God has given every person free will. If this is true, who am I to say you must do this or you must do that, and if you don’t you are selfish?
A neglected child is a neglected child, regardless of whether a parent and/or parents are physically/financially/emotionally capable of providing for him/her. If he/she/they are capable but unwilling to provide, then the child(ren) suffer.
It is not selfish to choose to NOT to be parent if you know you’re not interested in parenting. Like several of you said, it’s selfish to bring a child or children into existence knowing you can’t/won’t provide for him/her/them.
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Take a few moments to check out the tweets from Twitter on this subject:
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Dominicana84 i dont think so
PROTECTED TWEETER ..no its not selfish at all…everyone is not meant to be a parent…what i think is selfish is to not have it together and then have kids..now thats selfish
AbayKamau No. Its actually responsible. If you’re not ready for parenthood, don’t do it.
Newilli NOPE!! Wish more ppl would b thoughtful bout what it is 2 havin & raisin kids
rishaholmes No, not selfish, it is a personal choice.
IAMSY NO!
PROTECTED TWEETER No it is not selfish in these hard economic times.
Willy2212 I look at it from the child’s view. If someone doesn’t want to be a parent, but feels obligated -what will that do to the child
akaziaj Parenting requires a lot. Self-awareness being at the top of the list. If you know you R not up to the sacrifice, then don’t.
marysfreebies I wish people w/those problems cared enough about someone besides themselves 2be able 2realize that NOT having children is best
chela816 I’m gonna go with no (since it applies to me lol). My feeling is just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you have to.
NancyWelker Absolutely not! Anyone who has any doubts of any kind should put off having children!
John_Hinds That depends. If your significant other wants a child and you don’t, that’s a conversation that should have happened sooner. It’s all about communication. Not just about having a child, but also about sex, financial goals, health goals, etc.
DrMarlenebbs NO ONLY is ever emotionally stable enough to be a parent.
PROTECTED TWEETER I heard that biblically, it is selfish. But I think its a personal choice!
shargrove Not at all selfish; just a personal choice….even if it is selfish; sometimes being selfish is not a bad thing.
PROTECTED TWEETER I dont think so. Thats why I’ve chosen 2 only have one chuld. That is being responsible imo.
QTKrisAriel nope, it’s selfish to bring a child into the world and not take good care of him/her
DiamondEmory Absolutely NOT. In fact its selfish to choose to parent if ur NOT physically, financially, or emotionally capable. Kids suffer…BTW, “rich” in the Hebrew is holistic. It is not just $$, but blessings mentally, spiritually, physically, & emotionally 
mayqueen79 NO–since when is being a parent a “moral obligation”? No one should be a parent if they don’t have the desire for it.
CampbellX No. parenthood is not compulsory.
Sonny_Rich that’s past selfish that’s Sad no child deserves that!!!!!!!Period no excuses!
Josephine_Seven not at all
TankaBar_JasonD There is a lot of that happening where I’m from. The worst part of it is losing kids to the system, If no family takes them.
PROTECTED TWEETER it would be more selfish if you had a child you did not want. We have enough kids needing real homes & love.
walkerdl No. You also need to be ready & willing to care for & raise a child
MissMeandI No no, to choose NOT to be a parent shows that you KNOW you’re not ready and are responsible enuff to admit it.
jigsawverbiage OMG. NO! It’s not selfish to NOT parent. It’s selfish to do it just because society thinks so. Society should mind it’s biz.
roaddoggz No not selfish some people are not maternal like my oldest daughter. Entire family don’t want to see her as a parent
LovelyLatina09 I don’t think it’s selfish. Selfish is having children you CAN’T take care of …plenty of those people around…
BLKMGK No, some people just are meant to be parents.
Pettra88 No
wildchildeditor I don’t think so. IMO, it’s better to have a child only if you want it. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Write_Of_Fusion No, it’s not selfish. If their inclination is to remain childless, then I think they should stick with their decision…If they force parenting upon themselves, then they may not be totally committed in raising them.
MsJayye Do you mean making that choice BEFORE conception or after? B4 2 me ISN’T selfish but after could be seen that way
Inkognegro No.
NightShade10 not at all! Most parents don’t choose and some never should replicate, but forced parenthood due to capability; would b slavery
ObiOrion on the contrary, it’s selfish to become a parent if physically/financially/emotionally incapable just b/c you want a child.
tclarkusa No, it’s not. Childless by choice is a very viable option. If you don’t wanna be a parent…don’t.
tayari You say selfish like it’s a bad thing.
sunshine625 No its a choice
atane Not selfish at all. On the contrary, it’s selfish to bring a human being into the world with no means to take care of them.
ElijahMean I think it’s selfish 2 be able 2 help any1 & choose not 2, everyone isn’t cut out 2 parent, $ doesn’t guarantee a kids success
ibster Not at all. Unless we control climate change & unsustainable living, it is selfish to BECOME a parent, especially in the West.
JoshDamage yes
Quintessence_T not selfish at all…that’s being responsible
md20737 NO
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The commentary doesn’t have to end!
Please feel free to continue to add your comments below.
