Is it selfish to have kids in 2025? Why I think having kids during hard times is a radical act

Is it wrong or selfish to have kids in 2025? I’ve seen people call it reckless, cruel, and irresponsible. And honestly, I get it. The world feels like it’s on fire: Climate collapse, authoritarian politics, gun violence, and economic insecurity are enough to make anyone question the future. But I also believe the story is more complicated than that. For me, parenthood isn’t a careless act. It’s radical. It’s hopeful. And it’s one of the most empowering choices I’ve ever made.

In this piece, I share my personal journey, unpack the selfishness debate, and explore why raising children in hard times might actually be one of the boldest acts of resistance we have left. And yes, it's behind a paywall, but it's only $3 (my Patreon subscribers already get access with their membership). This is a piece I poured my heart and soul into, so I'm not really interested in the internet trolls and keyboard warriors getting ahold of it.

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TL;DR

• The world feels unstable and scary right now (climate crisis, violence, authoritarianism), but there has also never been a “perfect” time to raise kids.

  
  

• Parenthood is always a selfish choice. As is choosing not to have kids. If you're considering your own happiness in a choice, it's inherently selfish. But selfish ≠ immoral.

• Blaming parents for systemic failures misses the point. The real problem is institutional (lack of healthcare, childcare, climate action, community, etc).

• Choosing to raise children with empathy and justice is radical. It’s hope, resistance, and rebellion.

• Choice is the point. There’s no morally superior path, whether that's parenthood or childfree life. What matters is making the right choice for you.

Each one of these bullet points requires far more investigation and nuance. I dive into all of this in my blog post here.

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