We shouldn't have children.

I thank the con for his explanations. First of all, children do not necessarily have to be adults in order to not be a burden. There are numerous cases of children born to families in unfortunate conditions maturing quickly to assist their families' survival. Some children work in hazardous conditions to prevent their loved ones from dying from starvation. Secondly, I believed that children are not born spoiled. I believe that children are spoiled not because of their loathsome innate quality but because of poor parenting. As famous and highly revered philosopher John Locke described, children are born with "blank slates." It is the society and their environment that influences the children's behaviors. [1] Third, I also agree with Pro that children pursue certain vocations. However, this does not impede with the adults' survival instincts. In fact, it can be argued that the occupations the children will hold in the future enable parents who will be nearing the age of retirement and cannot work as efficiently. In first world nations such as Canada and the US, more parents are having their children later in their lives. It is now uncommon for parents to have children in their late thirties or even in their early forties. [2] If humans no longer reproduce, not only will our species face extinction but our industries will also come to a halt. Eventually, the current generation of work force will age and leave for the next younger and more energetic generation to take over. That has been the cycle of humanity since the ancient times and has proven to be successful. The development and advancement of humanity indicates the effectiveness of this cycle. The children indicate the future labor force that will receive and carry on the production needed for growth and survival of others until their times are up. In a few decades, the children be the one's taking care of us whether their are our own or not. Fourth, I do not understand by what Pro means as 'rebel.' In the context of the word, it seems like the word refers to choosing one's own future. How is this 'rebelling?' As part of humanity, children possess the same rights as the rest of us except for few exceptions such as the right to vote and the right to consume alcohol and etc. However, right to pursue their interests is not included in the exception. According to the Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it states that: (1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. (2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. [3] Since children are not considered as the parent's properties, parents do not have a right to decide on their children's futures. Parents may advise and assist in the preparation of children's futures, but they shouldn't think of themselves as the dictators of their children's lives. Although I acknowledge pro's point that some parents may be disappointed in their children's career choices or their life styles, parents shouldn't intervene unless the activities or the choices are harmful to themselves or others. I believe that having children is an investment that pays well considerably in most cases. Although I am only 16 and does not have any kids, it is apparent from observing different parents that they find having kids satisfactory most of the times. In the research of Angus Deaton of Princeton University, people most likely to be parents (adults between the ages of 34 and 46 who live with a child under the age of 15) reported a higher sense of life-satisfaction than people in the same age group who did not live with children. [4] Ask any parents their thoughts and emotions of the time when they held their very first child in their arms. Having children contributes to one's overall happiness. Fifth, I disagree with pro's statement that people should stop reproducing because their are aware of its instinctive nature. Pro has not back his points very well for this argument. Why shouldn't people reproduce? If people can see the instinctive nature of reproducing, surly they see the reasons why they are embedded into our systems. Also I would like to question pro's word choices. He stated that "children can suffer because they require mature parents to be raised correctly." First of all, children do not require mature parents to become stable adults. Some children are strong enough to endure abuses with help from others. Most abused children do not end up as abusive parents. Secondly, I ask the pro what he means by being raised "correctly." I do not think there is a guideline as to how children are raised correctly. Although some methods are better than others, there is not answer key as to how children should be raised. Six, Pro brought up an interesting point. Although life can be hard sometimes, there are also much joys to living. Having a child is one of many moments of happiness to many parents. Denying people's rights to live and enjoy the fruits their lives may bear is immoral. Parents bring infants to this world so they can be strong and survive. As pro mentioned, I am not acknowledging this argument because I believe that it is unfair and foolish. Though this may be slightly critical, pro's argument is basically the same as saying that murder is justified because in the end, people die. Parents do not give life to their child thinking about how he or she is going to die. They do it for the child to experience some of the things life has to offer. Next, proposition brings up some of the "happier" options. I ask the pro the following questions: is pursuing one's vocation truly the definition of happiness? Are people happy when they are at work? If yes, will they still be after 30 - 40 more years of same jobs? Isn't the whole purpose of romantic love is to select one's mate whom one can produce a child with? Are people will happy when they study more after nearly two decades of schooling? Regardless of the list of options pro provides, having children brings happiness and joy that compare to no other activities. I'm sure many parents will agree to my assumption. As to pro's argument that global warming and pollution can simply be reduced by not having children, pro has not backed his point up by any solid evidence. He merely restated his position. Please provide us with how reduced number of children lead to global warming and pollution. To conclude this round, I would like to bring up a quote that sums many of my points. "Life is C between B and D: Choices between Birth and Death." This is a quote I keep close to my heart and I see the truth in it everyday. The lives of children can only be decided by the children themselves through their choices. No matter how strict parents may be, children are "the master of their souls." [5] I await Pro's response. [1] http://everydaylife.globalpost.com... [2] http://www.pewresearch.org... [3] http://www.un.org... [4] http://www.latimes.com... 20140114,0,6208398.story#ixzz2szYmvLTT [5] http://www.poemhunter.com...