At some point, everybody has to truthfully answer this question. IMO, the end game is still to secure a mate and have children. I think everyone has that innate urge. You may fight against it intentionally, but the natural instinct, be it moral or other, is still there.
I am not saying this is the end goal of life, it isn't. But it's certainly a goal that everyone has and nobody can really explain where it came from or originated.
I feel like you have a right to say that for you if that's what you feel, but there's plenty of people who lived productive lives that never had nor wanted children. I admit though I do feel the same myself, though the thought of having children equally scares me.
That is true - otherwise the urge for sex would not be so strong in males, lol.
However, I have, right now, no urge to have or raise kids, or even settle down. My girlfriend has been asking me the exact question posted by Reyaj. "What's your end goal?"
I've come to know myself very well the past few years. I know I like financial stability, I know I like solitude up to a point, and I know I like variety. Those are three desires that don't mesh well with family life.
There's another thread on Wealth & Success about my goal of zero debt. I guess until I get there, in about 6-9 months, all other bets are off.
But beyond that, I know that I like sampling different women. I probably would like to settle down at some point, but I'm pickier than ever at 41. Not sure if that is good or bad. Women like to try to shame that sort of thing, but I'm just trying to take a realistic view. I don't want a bunch of one night stands, just to enjoy the company of some more different women over time.
One way I came to understand myself better was to imagine myself at 95 on my death bed or whatever. How will I want to look back on my life? What would I regret doing or not doing? There's something about the memories of the different women I've had that satisfies me and keeps me going. And I'm not afraid of the whole "dying alone" scare tactic. I've seen too many of my elderly relatives die in various ways to worry about that.
One thing I've realized, and I'll probably start a thread about this, but I don't want "needy" women as much as I thought. I have a habit of backing into relationships with incredibly needy women. I used to like the power it gave me but I've come to hate the lack of solitude and independence. Will have to meditate on exactly what kind of woman makes sense for me.
Sam your post is really resonating with me... I feel like I equally agree and disagree with what you wrote. I'm not saying I am right or wrong, these are just my personal thoughts. I too want to be financially secure, like sampling different women and enjoy my spank bank memories of the women I've hooked up with. However there's certain realities I can't ignore..
1. As we get older the age demographics of women we can pull becomes less.. Basically when you're in your late 30s, 40s, 50s it will be difficult to get girls in their 20s. I know the conventional wisdom everyone will preach is if you got game it doesn't matter blah blah blah but I swear I feel like some people on here don't live in the real world... For a lot of girls in their 20s being that much older is a turn off. I am currently with a younger girl but I was deceptive about many things in order to land her. Now I'm not saying you can't get a girl in her 20s when you're older, but the older you get the harder it will be in my opinion.
If you are agree with all the talk about how younger girls with less baggage are the ideal partner and even virgins being mentioned, this does matter if you're ultimately looking for a life partner.
2. If you want children, being an older father might be more difficult. You see how much energy kids have.. I see even young parents not able to keep up, what is it going to be like for us? Can we play one on one basketball with him without having a heart attack? You get my point...
3. I also like needy women.. but it's a double edged sword... They require a lot of attention and it's gets frustrating but I'd rather have a needy woman to whom I'm her world than some independent woman challenge where my emotions go through a roller coaster. At least for a relationship, neither matters for a sexual fling.
You say you picture yourself at 95 on your death bed... if you didn't have children would you feel regret?
I do fear dying alone... Just in a sense that I think having a family would make me feel more comforted during my final years.
In the city its very common to be in your late 30's or early 40's and single/never married/no kids.
This kind of thing seems to only be a problem in rural and suburban areas where everyone settles down in their 20's.
Perhaps you are right.
In a way.. im glad i had my kids early. First one when i was 19/20 and had 2nd one at 25. First ones semi out of the house... 2nd one is 13. Since im 38 i will still have plenty of life left to date my wife and do stuff I couldn't do when my kids were small and life circled around our kids... time to go back to the fun stuff... relight some fires and go on holidays more.
Remember end of basic instinct? "Now we fuk like mynx and raise rug rats"... wife and i used that line ever since, except the raising rug rats part is almost over thankfully now back to fukin like mynx. Haha
Woots
Yeah I think it's the same trade off really... If you don't have kids when you are younger you can enjoy those single years.. but if you do you can enjoy your older years.