Even new born humans know how to walk!!

Originally posted by twhitehead
The most important thing is simply not having more children than you can afford to look after (either financially or in terms of time and effort). Its amazing how much of a difference to both the parents and the children having fewer children can have. Lower birth rates is one of the best ways to improve the economy, education levels, health etc in third ...[text shortened]... ter off before they start having less children (unless you enforce it by law as China has done).

Perhaps being taught at school all the work needed and cost of bringing up a child (in detail)
(As well as good sex education detailing good birth control and STD avoidance) might
make people think twice before having kids at such a young age without thinking it through?

Originally posted by googlefudge
Perhaps being taught at school all the work needed and cost of bringing up a child (in detail)
(As well as good sex education detailing good birth control and STD avoidance) might
make people think twice before having kids at such a young age without thinking it through?

The ethos of your words is all with good intent. However, on the practical level, especially regarding young parenting, this is exploited primarily by the youth of '1st' world countries.
The social service systems in most first word countries are set in a way that youngsters without work, who bear children, become entitled to free accomodation, social payouts and various benefits which makes life simple and handed on a plate to them. They are 'quite able' to go it alone, financially.

On the other hand, in third world countries there are no such social care systems, especially referencing my experience in Thailand. Young girls giving birth, and even early to mid 20's, are able to hand their children to grandparents for upbringing as is 'the norm', and the children have a better all rounded upbringing compared to single or young unmarried unstable parents in the western hemispheres.

So in the west they jump on the band wagon of early birth to claim a right to social housing and benefits, and in the east it's easy to pass unpringing responsibility to elders in the family.

I don't think sex education would deter from either of those benefits, with regard to youngsters taking a greater stance on planning a family adequately and with thought.

-m. 😉

Edit: And apologies, as we've wandered quite far off topic, or I have.. 😳