As a mother of 8 kids I have found that most people admire a large family, but aren't interested in having one. It is such a shame that our generation has shifted from a family view of life to a self view. But I wonder if the previous generation had more influence on that view than they or we realize.

There was a great article in the New Yorker about hipster parents and how children are the newest and coolest accessory. I have to dig that up as if there was ever a perfect audience for that article it is here. The author even coined a new word for the thirty something ageless/generationless parents that seem to abound these days. I may even be one of them... shhh.

My view is stuff anyone who doesn't think it's cool to have kids, you have to be ready within yourself but don't let other people influence you on what is cool and what isn't, being cool is making your own decisions and leading the way not being a sheep and following what other people are doing do you agree?! i replied to you via your article 'considering' hope it helped

Children bring a lot of joy to your life and also with them comes a sense of purpose to what you are doing. Life is more than your job (which a lot of people dont like anyway) and then drinking excessively or worse on the weekend.

These are little people that are totally besotted with everything that you do as they are learning from you. You can spend your time helping someone grow and develop which is incredibly rewarding. When very little, they cannot do anything for themselves. They gradually get a little more independent as each year goes past and at some point you need to let them go out in the world themselves and blaise their own trail based on the guidance that you have given them.

You now want to go to work, get the job done quickly and effectively to get home and be with the people that you want to be with and really matter in your life.

Children can be noisy, excited and active and some people do not like that, it is true. Most people enjoy seeing children being children and having fun and most people are tolerant as they have had their own children and understand what parents are going through.

You may be correct in your assessment of 25-40's being a little selfish and intolerant of young children in the vicinity however they need to take a break from their busy lives. They have their job ( which is high pressure stressful, blah blah blah) then on the weekend they want to relax and have some peace and quiet. Is society happier now that we dont have to have children and the stress of the children ? I doubt it.
People now have job stress which for most people gives downsides and very little upside apart from money and what can that get you that will make you happy ? How much do you need? No matter what you have and how much you've got you can always have more so the search for ultimate satisfaction is not going to be found here.

Fashions are shallow in nature as they are passing fads. Having children is something of substance that brings purpose and responsibilty and great rewards along with a full range of emotions that go with it.

Children will not bring ultimate happiness either however they will bring a totally different perspective to your life and it is a blend of all of your life experience that will bring satisfaction and contentment to your life.

Dont have children because it is fashionable, or because there is an ad in a magazine or the Governement will give you some money.

Go to your local park and watch and listen to the parents and children talking and having fun. The children are learning all of the time and so are the parents. Does this look like fun ?

Having children is cool if you want to have them for the right reasons. If you are the first in your group to have chldren then everyone else is nervous of the unknown. When you see the child of someone that you know well and you have a bit of involvement with that little person and you watch them grow you will see how cool it is to have children and that is when you will know that you want to have children. It wont matter whether it is deemed to be cool or not!!

It's dangerous to lump the words "kids" and "cool" together. People should have kids because they are ready. People who have kids to be cool will be sadly disappointed. Kids come with vomit, runny noses and tantrums. Not too cool, I'm afraid.

I think it has become cool again....we don't need an ad campaign starring our favourite movie stars - they are doing it all by themselves - unpaid! - Nicole, Madonna, Brad & Angelina, Britney - the list is endless. Now whether they all should be having kids.....who am I to judge.

I believe yuor article is correct for Gen X (Generation X), they are certainly having children later than previous generations. Why? I think largely due to the "power to women in the workforce". Gen X females are very driven to scale the corporate ladder, and as a result are putting off having kids, if at all.

Gen Y from all accounts so far are not that interested in the corporate ladder. Yes... sure they all want to be rich by the age of 20, however they are also very focused on a very happy family life, and for a large percentage that means children at an early age. So to Gen Y, having kids is cool.

I agree. I also think Hollywood stars are making it 'cooler' these days, like Angelina, Cate Blancett, Kate Hudson. But, I still experience the uncoolness of kids. I say, stuff'em. I think the younger generations are more accepting and it's funky to be pregnant with your ipod in tow and show off that belly.