Lying in bed last night talking with the Ashley, like we do, I posed a question I've asked before, and we spent nigh an hour discussing it...
Just what is the point of breeding?
Other than to perpetuate the populace, is there an unselfish reason? Just thinking on it; everyone says "I want a child," or even that they don't want a child (but I shall get into that in a moment.) Nonetheless, every statement concerning children is an I want or I need statement. I, I, I, I, I, I. Which makes me wonder, why?
They want a child to love them unconditionally, to do the chores so they don't have to, to take care of them when they're geriatric, et al. The list is long and undistinguished, and it makes no sense to me. As someone who would like to have a daughter someday, I wonder to myself, Why?
Well, because I want someone to love me unconditonally, unquestioningly, at least until they reach High School. Not going to lie, not going to lie. Now, I understand men wanting children, they want boys to carry on their name and what-not, but really, I'm a Jones. There are enough of them, and the name is too anonymous. If I had a name like Sprinklemeyer, then I may want a son, but I don't think I'd wish that name upon anyone, as he'd probably be made fun of and beaten up on the playground. Nonetheless; where is the logic behind it? I'm not even speaking of at the rate in which this generation is breeding right now, I'm speaking generally and passively.
Why do we, as a breed, want children?
To be honest, they're expensive, they're smelly (don't lie, they shit their effing diapers!), and they're a lot of hassle. They do cut down on private/personal time, which parents don't seem to realize when they choose to breed, but nonetheles - Why?
Yes, it's a simple, fifth-graders question, but it's damned valid.
Can anyone give me a truly, unselfish reason to have a child? PLEASE? I beg of you, I want to know.
And yes, those surrogate mother's don't count. They are the exception to the rule, but in a way, they're pinning themselves with a Good Guy Badge, so everyone will look at them with that simpering smile, saying "What a good person, to do that for so-and-so." While they're really thinking; "Whatever." But, maybe that's just my interpretation of what they're saying. Anyways, providing my Good Guy Badge theory is correct, it's still a self-serving reason, hell, even if it is just out of the kindness of their own heart, it's still self-serving. And, I shall explain as to the why on that one. They want to feel good for helping someone, they want the Thanks and what-not...
I don't know, it just amuses me, really. (Seriously, amuses me, to no end. It's one the great questions like; Why are we here?)
So, here comes the next pondering - as a person who studies the human condition to some degree, I've watched parents (first-person and through the news), and I wonder - these people who do not want kids and get knocked up, why do they not just have an abortion? Okay, Religious propaganda aside, why not? It saves them from all the bullshit and hassle that comes with a kid they do not want, saves the world from dealing with the bullshit, and once they come out of the hoo-hah, they're too big to flush, as my mother always reminded me. So, why keep the little ankle-biter? Could someone answer me that? Is it the propaganda? Is it in the hopes that one day, in the distant future, they'll love their little bastard child? (Yes, I know they're not all bastards, but for sake of argument, eat my ass.)
Now, I just wish I had recorded the discussion last night so I could just post a transcript, because I did back up my argument on that one better, sue me.
I don't know, I'm just so amused by this society, culture, human condition, the whole kit'n'kaboodle. Really, it makes me smile, to watch it from afar.
