#compulsory parenthood

video essay: is it ethical to have kids? (and who gets to decide)

"For much of our history there has been an assumption that everyone who can, will have children. Not just that you will have them, but that you’ll want them - you’ll try for them, you’ll plan your life around having them. It will affect who you are in a romantic relationship with, where you live, the timings of your career, what you spend your money on, what your future looks like…"

You're now chatting with a random stranger. Say hi!

You both like Tumblr.

You: Hey

Stranger: Hii

You: How's it going?

Stranger: Wait.

Stranger: How

Stranger: Old

Stranger: R

Stranger: U

Stranger: ?

You: 32

Stranger: K. I'm 89 SOOO

You: Why?

Stranger: (:

Stranger: Jst asking.

Stranger: R u seriously 32?

You: Yes

You: Born in 1981

Stranger: And u have a tumblr?

You: Yeah

Stranger: Hahah cool.

Stranger: What's your name?

You: I follow 40-year-old that are on tumblr

You: Silver

Stranger: K you're so hip bruh!

Stranger: Do u like beyonce?

Stranger: Miley? Schoolboy Q?

You: Nope

You: I listen to metal

Stranger: Odd future?

You: and folk

Stranger: Ahhhhh

Stranger: Indie?

You: No

Stranger: Arctic monkeys?

You: No idea who that is

Stranger: BVB?

You: Not a clue

Stranger: Ptv?

You: ???

Stranger: Rolling Stones?

You: Only when it comes on the radio

Stranger: WHAT DO UNLISTEN TO THEN?

Stranger: Ugh I said that wrong srry.

Stranger: I meant what do u listen to then lol

You: Nightwish, Dubliners, Peter Paul and Mary, Frank Sinatra, Zebrahead...

Stranger: No idea..

You: Rammstein, Godsmack, Judas Priest

Stranger: Nirvana?

You: Dragonforce, Black Sabbath

You: Not really

Stranger: Umm do u have kids?

You: Nope, never

Stranger: Why?

You: Because kids are annoying and smelly

Stranger: Ahhhh okayyy! But don't u want to know what it's like to have a family and have kids get married

You: Nope

Stranger: Have grand kids?

You: I can see what it's like and I want no part of it

You: Hell no

Stranger: Ohhh weird.-.

You: Why?

You: There are plenty of childless people

You: There should be more

Stranger: Oh well.. It's quiet strange for me.

Stranger: An no there shouldn't.

Stranger: And*

You: There are more than 7 billion people in the world

Stranger: Haven't u ever been in love

You: We're destroying the atmosphere and environment

Stranger: And that's good!

You: Why shouldn't there be less people?

You: I've loved everyone I've been with

Stranger: Dude it's LIFEEE

Stranger: V.v

You: And the animals we're forcing into extinction don't deserve life?

Stranger: Nope they r Jst animals..

You: I'm not saying kill people. Just have less kids.

Stranger: Not important..

You: You fail at ecology

Stranger: And I know but I still think that there should be more.

Stranger: No I don't shutup.

You: If we destroy everything to make room for more people, what's going to make oxygen?

Stranger: Bye loser. Have a wonderful day! (: