Kathleen Rice

Ms. Giron
FHS 2400
07 April 2019
Becoming a Parent

QUESTION:
Research indicates that couples are choosing to have children later in life than in previous
generations. What do you see as the advantages and/or disadvantages of this choice? When do
you think is the “ideal” time to have children? How would you feel if you could not conceive a
child? To what lengths would you be willing to go to conceive - in vitro-fertilization; artificial
insemination; surrogate motherhood? What about adoption? Many couples cannot afford these
very expensive conception techniques. How do you feel about poor people not having these
options?

ANSWER:
I think if people wait until they are at least in their mid-twenties to start having kids, this
will give them more time to figure out what they want in life and time to accomplish goals. The
advantages to this give both parents a chance to mature and be ready for children. Thus, you will
have experienced more in life and have more stability. You can have an established career,
graduate from school, and spend time with your spouse just the two of you. The disadvantages I
can think of include having a harder time becoming pregnant and possibly experiencing
increased health risks. For example, the Census Bureau states, “Delaying parenthood until one’s
economic position is more secure makes good sense for many people given the economic effort
of parenthood.” (Strong & Cohen, 2014, p. 349).
I think the ideal time to have children is when you are in a committed relationship where
you are both ready to have children. Financially, mentally, and emotionally. I don’t mean that
when it happens and some things aren’t ideal, it’s not going to work out, because a lot of people
have children when it isn’t ideal and it works for them. For me, the ideal time would be when
I’m happily married, have a home to raise a child in, and have the money to afford having a
child. It could be in five years, it could be in ten, or it could never happen. How does one know
when the ideal time is?
According to First Response, “There is no perfect time to have a baby. There will almost
always be something that’s out of sync with your biological yearnings: your career, your age,
your relationship (or lack thereof), your financial status, your tiny apartment - the list of potential
barriers goes on…So is there a right time to have a baby? Yes, but it all depends on you.”
(BabyCenter).
On the other hand, I honestly would be very devastated and heartbroken if I couldn’t
conceive a child. I have loved children and wanted to become a mother one day since I was a
young child. I played house with my baby dolls all the time when I was a toddler. One very
important goal I have is to be happily married and become a mother. If I could financially afford
it, I would do whatever it takes to be able to conceive. The hardest part would not being able to
carry my own child, because I would love to experience pregnancy on my own and be able to
breastfeed my own child. Some things happen though and sometimes we have no control over
that. Although, I have always wanted a child of my own, I would definitely consider adoption. I
think it would be a cool thing to adopt a child or even become a foster mom.
I feel bad for those who aren’t able to afford any of these conception options but really
want to have a child. It’s hard when things are so expensive because even if you are poor, I think
you can still live a happy life raising children. We live in a society full of the next best thing and
we are always wanting the new thing that everyone else has. When you cannot afford these
things, I begin to wonder if you are happier, or if you can just learn to enjoy the simple things
that you can afford.
As of right now I am not physically, emotionally, or mentally prepared to be a parent, but
as I continue to grow and mature, I will one day love more than anything to be a mother myself. I
mentioned previously that I’d much rather be able to conceive and carry my own child, but if
something were to happen that would make me unable to conceive, I would definitely consider
the many different conception techniques.

Reference List

BabyCenter. “When Is the Right Time to Have a Baby? .” FIRST RESPONSE,

www.firstresponse
.com/en/Journey-To-Pregnancy/Articles/When-is-the-Right-Time-to-Have-a-Baby.

Strong, B, & Cohen, T. F. (2014). The marriage and family experience: Intimate relationships in
a changing society (12th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.