How old is too old to become a parent?
A 72 year old man and his 27 year old wife are expecting their first baby. Is this fair to the child that his father may not be around to watch him grow up?
I guess it's a matter of opinion. However even though he may be around, he probably will miss the little important things a younger parent can do. Such as running around playing things like hide and seek, teaching him/her to ride a bike. What about hoisting the child on his shoulders and many more things parents enjoy with a very young child. So even though it's their choice, I say I would not want to be in his or his child's shoes, (too much to miss out on).
I don't think someone else's choices about when to start a family are any of my business. As long as both parents are adults, it's their choice. There are plenty of kids who grow up without one parent, for a variety of reasons.
Stacie-
Maybe the better question is "How young is too young to become a parent?"
How long people live and how vibrant their years are, are perhaps, the more important issues.
Being a parent is not just a physical thing of "hoisting" a child. Intellectual and emotional maturity adds as much or more to a child's well being.
An untimely death of a parent, young or old, makes an indelible impact.
-DW
Yes a parent can die at any age but a 72 year old only has a few good years left.
Oh Gosh Stacie-
My dad is 89 and going strong. What you are describing is an insidious form of age discrimination. Further, it denies the "life in the years" in lieu of the "years in a life".
This 72 year old man may live to be a good 120 years of age while a younger father may die off because of bad health habits.
I don't think there is an age limit to becoming a parent but I can see the child being teased for having a father like his grandpa on the other hand, it is non of my business if the couple at their age have a child. Many young couples split up because the children are becoming a burden to them and they cannot cope. Maybe having the 72 year old father and 27 year old mother might have a good effect on having children because they are both mature parents. I think the father might struggle a little bit catching up with a toddler's demand but on the other hand it might keep him active physically. Don't forget age is only a number. I don't think there is an age limit to becoming a parent as long as the parents are loving and affectionate to their children.
A young, healthy 72 year old dad may be good for a few years but he wont be able to keep up with a youngster. Is it fair to the child?
How do we know that the 72 year old dad will not live long? Nowadays, people live longer. Besides if the 72 year old dad is giving the love the child needs even for a few years, then that is better than young dads abandoning their child.
72 today is much younger than 72 was decades ago. This father may be in the very best of health while men half his age are in the worst physical shape. Also, this father has life experience behind him & no regrets in contrast to a younger father who has regrets as to not experiencing life before becoming a parent How many younger men abandon their fathering responsibilities because fatherhood is too daunting for them.
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