Parentification is never a solution. It’s merely a cruel way to spread misery to another person who doesn’t deserve it.

Many people find it fulfilling to help those in need.

Yes but expecting someone to feel that way is irresponsible and selfish.

Sure: but ideally it is a choice not an obligation.

It sure as shit is a solution for the global poor. The fact that you responded this way is a symptom of collapsing birth rates in the first world.

This is awful and cruel to do, no.

> I hate to say this…

Then don’t say it. Do us all a favor.

why do you react offended?

?

Cruelty to children is widely considered to be offensive.

i don't see what's cruel here

That would be an incredibly cruel thing to do to a child.

i think this is a reasonable consideration.

Well thanks for your input, Satan.

(not a response to your particular comment but to the entire subthread)

I have a feeling that the spectrum of responses to this comment—how varied and how intense many were—is mostly a function of cultural differences.

Ways of relating to such matters vary a lot with national/cultural/religious/family background. Unfortunately, on an internet forum we lack the usual implicit ways of recognizing such differences which help modulate this sort of conversation in real life.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23308098