The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is apparently concerned with more than raising crops, has announced that the estimated cost of raising a child born in 2008 from birth to age 18 is $221,190. If you adjust for expected inflation before the child reaches adulthood, that figure is $291,570. Your mileage may vary.
When you consider the income levels in these calculations, it doesn't seem all that bad. Many families spend more than that on a house. Then again, the child's shelter expense is the biggest item on the total bill, comprising 32% of the total. Link -via J-Walk Blog
(image credit: Flickr user Matt Stratton)
The report by USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion notes that family income affects child rearing costs. A family earning less than $56,870 per year can expect to spend a total of $159,870 (in 2008 dollars) on a child from birth through high school. Similarly, parents with an income between $56,870 and $98,470 can expect to spend $221,190; and a family earning more than $98,470 can expect to spend $366,660. In 1960, a middle-income family could have expected to spend $25,230 ($183,509 in 2008 dollars) to raise a child through age seventeen.
When you consider the income levels in these calculations, it doesn't seem all that bad. Many families spend more than that on a house. Then again, the child's shelter expense is the biggest item on the total bill, comprising 32% of the total. Link -via J-Walk Blog
(image credit: Flickr user Matt Stratton)
And a lot of the figuring is done including stuff you'd be buying anyway, regardless of children. (Shelter for example.)
@Babycakes - How does this show why America is so in debt? What percentage of your income do you think is reasonable to give to your children? According to those stats, the middle class is paying 12-22% of their income in child costs (ignoring taxes). As long as you have a reasonable number of kids then it isn't an issue.
And wouldn't it be nice if those of us who are childless didn't have to pay for everyone else's kids as well? Government programs for preggos... Schools... Its like child support without the benefit of sex first.
If I'm mistaken, and you're espousing a future without children, some sort of intentional extinction model for society, then I apologize.
Die alone in your old age with no one to care for or about you.
And Flux, I hope you were home schooled. It would explain SO MUCH about your statement about taxes and education.
Actually, with overpopulation, having less kids/not having kids is probably better for society. The only problem is that the people who realize this, and who aren't having kids, are the ones' whose genes need to be passed on, while Cletus and his 8 kids might not be the best genes to pass on, as they are likely to have more kids, thus increasing overpopulation.
People aren't stupid for having kids or smart for not having kids, its really a personal choice, as some people may have some genetic urge to have children stronger than others. Or maybe their genetic urge is weaker than their urge to want to travel the world or have more money/freedom.
Although society is dependent on continuing by having children to fill the older generations' place, right now, I believe that the earth is near its carrying capacity, or at least its comfortable carrying capacity.
As for being selfish for not having kids, it could also be argued that people who have too many kids to support are not only being selfish by taking benefits from the government, but also making their childrens' lives (thus "the future" of society) of poor quality because they are not able to raise them to be fully funcitoning/healthy/well educated members of society.
Any way, this is just some comment on a blog, I'm just sharing my thoughts on this, and I hope I don't sound crazy :)
"I rather buy a house or something else"
"That’s a lot of vacations missed."
"And wouldn’t it be nice if those of us who are childless didn’t have to pay for everyone else’s kids as well?"
Clearly demonstrate that those who flaunt being childless are doing it for the benefit of everyone. /sarcasm
The people posting *here* have made very materialistic and selfish statements that belie their self-centeredness. Do we need people like that raising children? No, so I'm glad they aren't. Maybe my "die alone" statement was a little over the top, but it doesn't make it any less true.
And I think it's only fair to bring the wellfare burden of children into the discussion if the people I quoted above were saying "damn, I'm barely making it on my own, I could never afford that!" instead of, "Ha! More money for Buffy and I to jet off to Paris!"
It's a pity the "troll be gone" doesn't work against him.
As a person who has chosen NOT to have children, I find this sort of pro-procreatory thinking a bit disturbing. People with children already shift enough of their burdens on those of us who don't. From maternity leave from work to taking extra time off, to extra credits at tax time, people with children, especially young children get benefits and consideration people like myself can't begin to take advantage of. They use the kids as an excuse to foist work and office responsibilities onto the rest of us. (Oh, Jan has to go home early today because her baby is sick again, will you make sure that presentation she's been working on is ready for tomorrow's meeting? Thanks.)
If mothers (or fathers) are going to get paid to stay home and look after their OWN kids, I don't want to have to pay for that. Not even a little bit.
The life of a child in the USA or in Africa?
How much money bring back the parents in a life?
Are they paid exactly salary?
It is necessary that their bosses made profits.
Today, they speak of the ' tax carbon '! Pay for the expired air(sight)!
A sportsman or a labourer must he(it) be more imposed than an unemployed person?
Why no tax on them limp with beans?!
ByrdBrain, people who have children are selfless philanthropists?
Interesting how the "die alone" argument is a popular argument for child-bearers, but you don't see that as selfish? You would have children to support you in your dotage, but those who don't have children are selfish because they can jet off to Paris?