At what age is the social norm to have children?

1. 75

   SilentMagentaposted 9 years ago

   At what age is the social norm to have children?

   replyreport
2. 59

   askformore lmposted 9 years ago

   I don't believe that I follow the social norm. I became father when I was 23. Now I am 70+ and I still have children going to school.
   PS: Forget abut the "social norm", and live your own life.

   replyreport
3. 0

   Daniella Lopezposted 9 years ago

   I was 21 and my husband was 23 when we had our first child. Some would say we had children too early in life, but we both had good jobs and college degrees when we started. For us, it was a great time to start building our family. I don't regret it at all. Don't worry about social norms. Have children when it is the right time for you.

   replyreport
4. 0

   ShujinkoDegusposted 9 years ago

   There is no actual social norm. Many different cultures or caste systems in lesser developed countries have different norms.

   replyreport
5. 80

   dashingscorpioposted 9 years ago

   Being prepared is more important than the age.
   Hopefully a child is being brought into stable household consisting of two adults who love and honor one another.
   They should have completed their education, embarked upon a stable career path, their finances should be in order, have a plan as to whether one parent will be a "stay at home" or if they will be paying for childcare services, and they should understand just how much time, energy, and money will be required to prepare children to become positive self-reliant contributing citizens.
   It's not just about taking cute photos and being entertained by what they say. Even with all that preparation there will be unforeseen issues that arise Very few households resemble families seen in a Norman Rockwell painting.
   Not everyone gives birth to a "normal" healthy child. In other instances people give birth to the next generation of criminals.
   No "would be parent" believes their children will be a "menace to society" and yet we can't build jails fast enough! Best wishes!

   replyreport
6. 66

   cooktravelcraftposted 9 years ago

   I don't believe there is any "social norm" as to when you should have children. It is when you feel ready to have kids. A few questions to ask include:
   
   1) Are you ready to settle down? - Having a child takes a lot of responsibility so if you are not ready yet to forgo your "freedom", or to take care of another human being that will rely on you 24/7 for the first few years of their lives, then you should wait until you feel you are ready.
   
   2) Are you financially able to support another human? - Children are expensive. If you don't think you are capable to financially support yourself, and a child, it won't be fair to either of you.
   
   At the same time, we do as women, unfortunately, have limited time as to when we can/should have children without complications or eventually no longer being able to. So this is another thing that should be kept in mind if you are thinking of waiting too long. You don't want it to be too late either, otherwise by then... it may in fact be too late.

   replyreport
7. 61

   freecampingaussieposted 9 years ago

   You picked a Best answer fast ! I had my daughters at ages 19,22 & 27 which I really enjoyed .Not everyone can cope at that age however I loved it and are now enjoying doing my own thing while having grown up daughters as well as Grandchildren. It is nice for them having younger parents.Some struggle no matter what age they are.

   replyreport
   1. 75

      SilentMagentaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Next time I will wait a week before I pick the best.

      replyreport