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Want to be a parent? You should adopt!

Here’s a concept that will probably get you thinking: An article by Tauriq Moosa proposes that, logically-speaking, given the current conditions in the world, would-be parents should adopt kids rather than create them.

His argument is based on these three points:

1.    If you are able and willing to have a child to love,
2.    And if the world is such that orphaned children exist, who require homes with people who are able and willing to be parents,
3.    Then you ought to adopt - and not create - a child to love.

The problem, Moosa says, comes in defining parenthood. Parenthood isn’t merely a biological act, but also a symbolic series of acts. It’s possible to create a child and, as a result, claim parenthood. He goes on to point out that this doesn’t necessarily imply that being biological parents will offer the child any quality of life, but that this comes through symbolic parenting- acts of loving, caring for protection of and nurturing a child. Symbolic parenting is just as well-performed by adoptive parents.

There are plenty of orphaned children, and this, combined with overpopulation, misery and environmental challenges should provoke would-be parents into considering that they could be great parents without having to create more children themselves, but by the process of adoption.

Help existing kids before non-existent ones

Citing people who “just want their genes to continue”, Moosa counters that it just doesn’t make sense- our legacy as parents comes about by our actions, not by our blood.

“There is no good reason to create children, when adopting a child can cater for the needs and desires of parents – aside from the morally irrelevant desire to see one’s genes spread.

More importantly, by doing so, in many instances, we are able to help existing children who actually are capable of suffering and joy – unlike potential children who, by definition, do not exist.”- Tauriq Moosa

His final point is that some people are disqualified from adopting by strict laws, but that perhaps this is reason enough to reconsider wanting to create a child, too, as the laws exist to provide a safe, secure environment for children. He adds, somewhat wryly, that the argument that the human race would become extinct if we all adopted isn’t a valid one, either, as the human race is probably headed for extinction anyway!

What do you think- should would-be parents consider adoption before reproduction?
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