No children until the new system---Has this changed? (page 2)

halcyon

Was I so tuned out at the meetings my whole life that I never felt this pressure?

I always assumed I'd grow up and have children like my mom did. So I married and had children. I can't remember a single person telling me it wasn't wise. Oh, I remember hearing it said that if you don't have children you can do more, etc., but I never ever ever felt pressured not to.

More of the kids I graduated high school with waited til their late 30s to start their families, than friends at the KH.

Raising children was hard. I sometimes wish I hadn't become a mother. Turns out it wasn't a natural fit for me. I was much too lenient.

Homerovah the Almighty

This recommendation to not have children was more on the push in the 40's and 50's

than in recent times but nevertheless it was definitely put out there for sure.

Many jws that I knew back in the 70's put off having kids since Armageddon was around the conner,

my 2 older brothers for example.

Fear and ignorance can trip up people quite easily can it not !

independent_tre

A married pioneer at our hall recently had a baby, but all throughout her pregnancy, she kept at how unexpected and unplanned the pregnancy was. She was almost apologetic to everyone about getting pregnant. So while I don't think it's in print, I think the pressure or expectation to remain child-free still permeates many congregations.

outofthebox

I just talked to a JW friend (I am an elder in good standing, so he doesn't know what I really think), and he told me he and her wife are dying to have a baby, but since the last KM said that the end is so close we can see the dark clouds, they will wait until the New Order arrives. Go figure. :(

ootb

insearchoftruth

Which KM, or does it really matter which KM?

Doubting Bro

Where I used to live, there were a ton of young (in their 20s) couples that all said they weren't going to have kids "in this system" including me. Fast forward 8 years, ALL of them that are still married now have at least 1 kid! We're talking about folks that got married in their late teens, pioneered and continued to do so into their 20s. If the WTS were smart, they would be encouraging child bearing because that's going to soon be their only source of growth. And, with the low retention rate among kids that were born-in, they need to have lots just to keep the numbers even.

LongHairGal

Years ago I remember all the 'heavies' going around imposing their opinion and stating how 'they weren't going to have any children in this system'. Well, now they all have grandkids.

I feel sorry for anybody who didn't have any because they caved in to peer pressure not to. How sad.

LHG

No children until the new system---Has this changed?