Kids Or No Kids: Who Is Happier? (VIDEO)
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Parenting and paternity has its ups and downs. But are parents happier overall than single people? DadLabs takes this issue on, in a funny and informative series of videos for expecting, new and veteran dads alike.
WATCH:
Read more from Huffington Post bloggers:
Kari Henley: Detox Your Kids from Screen Addiction
If you are brave enough, I recommend taking on a "no-screen week" as a powerful tool to help children reset their biological batteries.
Our names were written in the book of love before we came to earth and will remain there forever after. No one comes to earth without the capacity to love, be loved and be transformed by love.
Filed by April Pierce
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02:21 PM on 05/24/2010
I have children - and they are by far the best thing I have ever had happen to me in my life.Lot's of work - with lots's of joy.
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01:34 PM on 05/24/2010
Who is happier? Whoever is doing what he or she dreamed of.....It not only applies to parenting but it does also applies to every aspect of our lives. If you in your hearts of hearts you knew that you wanted to be a parent, being a parent would make you happy; otherwise it will only be a burden.
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01:01 PM on 05/24/2010
Single Mom of three. It's DIFFICULT to parent alone. My daughters are beautiful and smart and funny. I do understand "Calgon take me away " ( or whatever works for you ) We were never meant to nor can we do it alone. This our failure , not, not having children , but not having a village or a tribe. I wouldn't trade all the BS I have had to go thru to have my daughters for anything !!!!! I hope I am raising , kind , compassionate, empowered young people who in turn will make the world a little brighter. Small blossoms , seeds of change.
09:14 AM on 05/24/2010
*saucy joke with a grain of truth alert*I teach high school. I love other people's children and then get paid for it!
No but seriously- love kids, but never wanted to turn into a parent- they just seem miserable to me, with too few exceptions to that rule for it to sound like a good idea for me.
However, other people choosing differently = job security!
05:47 AM on 05/23/2010
I raised three step-daughters from the ages of 5 (twins) and 6 and always felt I had the best of both worlds, didn't have to get pregnant or change crappy diapers! Now at 48 I never have wished for my "own" children, but feel blessed to have these great kids in my life, no regrets.
11:04 PM on 05/22/2010
Together 30 years, married 28, no kids, couldn't be happier. Whatever floats your boat.
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02:15 PM on 05/22/2010
It's a myth that people with children are happierhttp://www.newsweek.com/id/143792
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/hows_the_family/archive/2007/12/new_study_says_having_kids_doe_1.shtml
Knowing that, if the people having children are the ones who really really want them, that will make this world a better place.
05:26 PM on 05/22/2010
Good articles. I was surprised to read in one that "twenty-five years ago, the average woman married at the age of 20 and the average man at the age of 23." Being fifty, I strongly disagree with this. I know very, very few people who married that young. Still, the articles were good. Thanks for the links!
12:40 PM on 05/22/2010
It's hard to raise a "nucleus" family. In the words of Madam Secretary, "It takes a village." Greeks have more sex cause they stress a lot less for money, babysitter, mortgage, insurance, car expenses, medical expenses, jobs (losing it at any moment to overseas), and so much more...They seem to pay less tax and make more money and work less.
So yes Americans have it harder and it is getting harder year after year and is impacting every part of our lives that includes sex and happiness.
09:10 AM on 05/24/2010
Bad example with their economy melting down harder than ours did.
11:21 AM on 05/22/2010
I really really wish that we, as a modern society in a very VERY overcrowded planet would give some validity to the child-free lifestyle.I've never wanted to have children; I've been more focused on seeing the world, getting an education, developing a sense of inner peace and personal growth, helping others, being involved in my community, etc. I know, many parents will say "you can do those things with children!" but I would respond that it is much more difficult.
I think that family life is somewhat glamorized, don't you? Geez, you walk into a grocery store and all the magazine are all "celebrity babies!" "who's got the baby bump!" "young starlet is pregnant!" And it is all portrayed as oh so happy and rosy. But you never hear about the heartaches and hardships about people who have kids that they are not emotionally or financially ready to handle. Children raised by immature and/or irresponsible parents don't turn out so well and that is not so happy and rosy of a situation.
11:37 AM on 05/24/2010
I agree 100%! Let's hear it for inner peace. Also, if you grew up in a not so happy family, it does turn one off to possibly repeating the mistake.
09:12 AM on 05/22/2010
As a 50 year old unpartnered gay man, I was certainly never expecting children. Then came a wonderful opportunity to adopt a young man that had aged out of the foster care system, and I've never been happier. I was certainly fulfilled before the adult-adoption of my 23-year old son, but this is beyond my wildest expectation of joy to have him in my life. I really knew nothing about foster kids until this experience. The failure rate for kids that age out of the system is astronomical. Drugs, homelessness, low graduation rates, etc. My son had college paid for by his military service, but without a car, savings, etc., just going 100 miles away might have well been as easy as going to the moon. Yes, parents are STILL needed even 18-25. Step up if you are ever given the opportunity. I'm richer now by God's grace than I ever dreamed possible.
11:11 AM on 05/22/2010
That young man is lucky to have such an empathetic and caring man as a father! Very few people want to take on a "damaged kid" from our foster system. Why don't we ever address the tragedy that is our Foster Care system, BTW?
11:35 AM on 05/22/2010
Because it's the result of so many happy people expressing themselves?
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08:38 AM on 05/22/2010
When I ask people why they had children, most of them say they needed a sense of purpose or felt a hole in their life. I think that's fine for them, but people who already feel purposeful or fulfilled don't make the choice to have kid, often.
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04:34 AM on 05/22/2010
Couldn't make it through the video - what a pair of idiots those two are. As soon as Goober #1 said "get my snack on," I was done.
11:06 PM on 05/21/2010
Some people want children and can't have them....some have them and wish they didn't....some don't want children and arebothered by people who wonder why they don't want them.
You don't miss what you don't have but once you have children, they consume your life, even after they are grown.
There troubles and sicknesses are your troubles...
Not that parents would not want that, it is because it affects their health as well.
Some have children who are adults but are alcoholic and on drugs and end up raising a second family because of neglect on the part of their own children's actions...
So, as is always the case, there is good and bad in all situations. Look at some of the situations today when parents don't have patience to deal with their own kids.
Money also presents problems....etc the list is endless...
If you don't have children, you can pamper your nieces and nephews and like grandparents get to do sometimes, play with them and then you get to go on your way and do what you want to do without any strings to keep you at home.
09:59 PM on 05/21/2010
to answer the question in the most realistic way: IT DEPENDS. just because you have children, it doesnt mean you will be happy. wow, the number of unhappy parents i've met would blow your mind. im pretty sure my own parents are one of them.
First Posted: 05/21/10 10:54 AM ET Updated: 11/17/11 09:02 AM ET