Being Childfree is the Best Financial Decision You Can Make
My post on Reddit on why being childfree is the best financial/mental health decision you can make, went mini-viral in just 8 hours! Sharing it here for you.
The Controversial Truth About Parenthood
This might sound a bit controversial, but I said what I said.
As an unmarried 31M, I think most couples don't decide to have kids — they just end up having them. At most they plan 'when' to have kids, but not 'should' we have kids.
People think it is just the next "expected" step after marriage, like getting into 8th class after finishing 7th class, there is no planning or thinking about it.
The toll a child takes on you mentally, especially financially is severely underestimated, and will set you back years of all the financial progress you made in your life.
From decent education to medical, food, clothing, and other extracurricular expenses — raising a child comfortably in urban India easily runs into crores over 18-20 years. That's assuming everything goes smoothly. Think of all the things you could do with that money if no kids!
But it's not just money. Why would anyone want to choose this lifestyle?
For example, today is a weekend, and I see parents in my society not sleeping in, but driving their children around to some dance/karate/swimming etc., classes.
My married friends are discussing about schools, joining dates, books, complaining about high fees etc. Feels like we just finished our own school/college days, and I can't imagine how anyone re-live it all over again.
Don't even get me started on the multiple doctor visits, buying clothes, toys, the crying, screaming, etc.
I wonder how many parents out there regret having kids even though they can't share it with anyone.
I also think it's regressive when people say becoming a mother is a greatest fulfillment for a women. Mothers are put on a pedestal and expected to be all noble & self-sacrificing for the kids/family while expecting nothing in return.
My intention is not to look down on parenthood — but just a reminder for the singles/non-parent couples out there that parenthood isn't compulsory. It's okay to opt out and say, "That life is not for me."
The only reason anyone should have kids is because they have real paternal instincts of nurturing/protecting. Not because it is expected from parents/society, or because they are an investment for your old age.