No I agree with you. Also though, you are given the cards you are given. If you are a woman, you are MADE to have kids. You are MADE to have mood swings and cramps and menopausal problems and so on. Its something you deal with whether you want babies or not.
You can say it isn't fair that women are given such choices, (when men aren't) till you're red in the face and i'll agree, it definitely isn't. I mean hell, i've taken the heat because of my mothers menopause and ex-girlfriend/girlfriend pms issues so I wish just as much that these things didnt exist!
But they do.
This is why these "unfair" choices are a part of life.

But it also shouldn't be expected for a woman to just have children either. Yeah, we're made to "have children", but we shouldn't have them if we don't want to. It seems we both agree on that point, though. It's like me and my ex. He's the type to settle down and start a family. I'm definitely not. I don't even have the desire to get married. I want to adopt a child, not have one.

Hm well i'm sure your reasons are personal so I won't delve. It still makes me curious as to why you wouldn't want a child. This could cause friction with a lot of partners unless you wait and find someone who shares the same viewpoint.
Even so, adopting a child is hardly a bad thing.

What an informative post!
Thank you for your perspective. I really didn't know that.

well, first of all I am going to apologize for cursing you out. As you can see all we ended up doing was enter into a shit talking contest and is not leading us any closer understanding the issue at hand which is gender roles in regards to parenting. So like I say again, I humbly apologize for letting it go this far. However, you did come out of left field accusing me of going off on a tangent. Now, yes women are the ones who give birth; I agree. Women also breast feed throughout infancy; well some rather get the baby formula from stores. Now, I am inclined to agree that the bond with a child and it's mother throughout infancy can create some positive reinforcement that would otherwise be missed it had not happened; it seems logical right? Now, it was unfair of you to accuse me of being a psuedo scientist (although I was impressed when you brought that up because I don't think I know many people who would actually know what that means) because you have to understand where I'm coming from. I have learned to stop automatically believing what I see before my eyes and through experience to be the most rational possible explanation for everything. Before my college experience I would have agreed that mothers may produce the best possible much needed positive reinforcement that the child needs. However, although it might be true during infancy what about when the child starts going to grade school. Isn't the parenting role pretty much up for grabs? Couldn't a father from that point on do just as good a job? The reason why peer-reviewed research is so great is because it approaches all possible variables using the scientific method and provides us with empirical validity. Let me ask you these questions then you see where I'm coming from. I hope I am able to explain myself in a coherent manner.

1. What do you say about same sexed couples who are able to raise children just as good or better than those families with the traditional housewife raising the children? For example 2 guys who adopt a child.

2. What do you think about a father who has to raise his child alone because the mother died at childbirth and he is able to do it just as good or better than those families with the traditional housewife?

3. What do you think about the traditional housewife who does an acceptable job of raising her child yet the child still ends up being a criminal or "messed up" for a lack of a better term?

4. What about the single mother problem? Children have a better chance of being successful and nurtured in a two parent family right? So, it isn't just mother power or father power alone right?

As far as Japan's population problem? Japan is already too crowded to begin with. Now, if there population does start decreasing to an extreme point because women want to stop having babies then a solution may be growing test-tube babies in a laboratory.

This according to the CIA's little "factbook" they keep online:

Population Growth Rate: -0.088% (2007 est.)

Birth Rate: 8.1 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Death Rate: 8.98 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)

( https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...ja.html#People )

So, given that these are accurate, I'm wondering... How is a decline of less than .1% a cause for enough concern for a bunch of Gaijin to have a heated argument over the role of Japanese women in their society?

Now, I don't know what the trend has been for population growth, but if it's been <.1% in the last ten years.... That's tiny.

Japan's population right now is 127,433,494 (July 2007 est.) . To drop to 50 million, as some have claimed, it would take a little longer than 2050 -_-; . Well, I shouldn't say that because I didn't do the math, but that large of a drop would seem to take a lot longer than has been suggested.

Oh, also for the record, according to the CIA, there are actually (slightly) more women than men in Japan :eek: ! And here the other day my sister was telling me that they still abort female babies so they can have boys instead--I told her that's only in China, now, and less now than it was even 20 years ago, but I couldn't back it up :P . Ha, now I can back myself up with the friggen' C.I.A. :D . But this is all an aside, so I must apologize for making you read all the 'irrelevant' data ^_^;;; .

Because there are too many children out here who need homes. I've actually wanted to adopt since I was a child myself. The idea of adoption has always been intriguing to me, since I find it more helpful.I'm just being selfish with this. I really don't want to have a child biologically. I don't want to go through with it. I've always liked children, but never wanted to physically have any.

'Cos it's FUN! :mtongue:

Heh, can't argue with! XD :D

Incredible exchange of dialogue here. Priceless information. First time I've witnessed that 'much' insults in one thread. All the impressions that I've perceived are of fused destructive criticisms and discriminative accusations.

If I was a regular member, I would contemplate joining the argument myself and be confident of emerging victorious, from a totally different standpoint, prior to what's been raised. Point is: Your belligerent confrontation can, more than likely, potentially attract others like yourselves to participate, as conveniently demonstrated.

Just for the record, I intend to keep an exclusive eye on this thread. I'll intervene when I must, spectate when I desire, or even hang out over here, for the fun of it. I respect your rights as JF individuals and people who possess the ability to critically think before responding, in fact, I love it; have all your heated arguments, for as much as you want, but I want an "in with the facts", and "out with the insults" principle involved, hear?

P.S. Can't resist the urge to display pugnaciousness? Check out our Personal Messaging options anytime! ^^

~There's no need to reply to this post.~

CoolNard