Whether or not to have children is a deeply personal decision, and it can be an emotional choice as well as a practical one. Some people know their entire lives that they want to be parents, some never want kids, and many fall somewhere in the middle. For many people, some of the main factors in the decision about having kids are childbirth and finances.
Going through pregnancy and childbirth can be scary for many people, especially because having babies takes such a physical toll on the body.
Of course, the other big issue for many people is that kids are expensive. On Reddit, someone asked, “If money and childbirth weren’t an issue, how many children would you choose?” Here’s how people responded:
None
“Zero, my peace is worth more than any amount of money.” –Asmallrock
“Zero. My disinterest is not just based on money or giving birth. Anybody hand-wringing about white babies and ‘western civilization’ and ‘omg the future’ can hop on up out of my fucking body and work on repairing and rebuilding societal support for people who get pregnant and raise children. I’m in the US, and the powers that be don’t give two shits about a baby once it’s been born, and gives even fewer shits about the people who birth those babies. I’m not raising a child just so it can go kill itself working a menial job with zero healthcare in a world that actively seeks to squeeze more blood from that stone, or so it can be responsible for taking care of me when I’m old. I’m certainly not raising a child just so it can keep funding Social Security when the current adults in the world retire. If people actually cared about the future of the world, they would worry about shoring up the social safety nets that Reagan and his cronies have fought so hard to dismantle, not about trying to police individual wombs and make people feel guilty about not wanting to give birth in a sinking ship that is both on fire and radiating toxic gases.” –kaeorin
“Zero children, many money.” –natedog63
“Still zero. I still maintain that one day I may get a dog.” –MeanSecurity
“Zero, and if I interpret this as money being no issue in general, I’d happily use it to be the cool aunt who gives really great presents!!” –interbission2
“It’s always been zero, and always will be zero. There is nothing on this planet that could make want children.” –spidersandcaffeine
“Absolutely none bc it’s all so completely unappealing.” –Veronica-lagos23
One or Two
“Still 2 but damn would it be easier.” –victorylap177
“Maybe 1? But idk that I would be the best mom. I’d prob outsource 99% of the work tbh. I always tell everyone I would only ever adopt or have a surrogate and would need a nanny. No way in hell I’m getting pregnant or giving up my career and body.” –Zestypalmtree
“2 kids. I would like kids but those are the two things in my way. However I also know that I probably could not handle kids so 2 would be my max.” –Kairos27
“We are planning on staying one and done, but given more financial resources, we’d probably want two. (Pregnancy treated me pretty well the first go-round).” –hobbesnblue
“Still just one. I love children, but I learned I don’t have the patience for more.” –yoursaucyneighbor
Three or Four
“I’m happy with 3. Money & childbirth aside, it does take a lot of energy to raise children. It’s rewarding but not easy.” –still_on_a_whisper
“4!! Realistically can prob barely afford 2 😭” –blndbrbe
“Honestly 3-4. As it is currently I will not have any. I technically could support a kid by myself, but my main concern is my own mental health. If money wasn’t ever an issue I could take the long downtime I need from burnout and prevent it from happening again.” –adriardi
“4. I have 2 but a 3rd would be tight financially. I can only dream of the day I’m able to have another baby.” –axv18
“If I had all the time, patience and money probably 3-4. But I’m short on all of those so we’re done at 2 lol.” –Joce7
“Four, money not being an issue, I could raise them in a nice house where they all have their own rooms and space, a big garden, they could go to a good school and I wouldn’t have to work so could focus on them. Sounds like the ideal life to me tbh.” –Iamtriangular
More than Four
“If money wasn’t an issue I’d have a huge house for foster children and a transition house/education system for foster children aging out of the system.” –Bdizzy2018
“If I could have nannies, maybe four or five! I love my siblings and I wish I had a large family.” –RubberDuck404
“Add infinite time and I’d have 6 or 7. I love big families! But the cost, energy drain, and time coordinating after school activities has limited me to 3.” –passthepepperplease
“5! I have 1 and my boyfriend has 2. We want more but ended up with crazy partners initially.” –wellshitdawg
“Call me insane, but like 4, heck maybe 5. Money and childbirth are the only obstacles. With money, I can get a sitter when I need a break. Get a nanny to keep up with cleaning so I don’t burn out. I could be the best version of myself for them if I could get help around the house and the breaks that I need to recharge. They’d also have a great quality of life if I had money – great schools, sports, activities, a ton of space to run around and play outside. And without the risks of childbirth, I don’t need to jeopardize my health, so yeah, it would be pretty awesome. However, I do not have money, my body is notoriously unpredictable, I get mean if I can’t recharge alone, and I rent and have a shitty little yard. So I’ll likely have none.” –Eeeeels
“Probably six or seven, though it isn’t just a question of money and childbirth. Other physical issues and mental health issues also come into play. As it is, it will be none. Would have loved to have a big family, including adopted children, though. Not meant to be.” –ivegotanewwaytowalk
“Can we add unlimited good health? If so, 12.” –mayayaya3
“I wouldn’t give birth but I’d adopt as many children as I can.” –greysheep21
“4-6 but would depend on how well I’m able to handle things after each one. I currently have three and wish I could have another but financially it’s not an option and I am NOT going through postpartum again.” –the-willow-witch
“Thirteen, have to go with my lucky number and not having to worry about medical bills is a plus.” –Fenchantress
