A heated debate between women erupted on social media after they were asked whether they thought it was okay to have children after turning 50.
The debate takes place on Mumsnet where hundreds of mothers weighed in on the matter saying it was selfish and unfair to children for parents to have babies after the age of fifty. Others hit back saying an older and more mature individual could take better care of their child than a younger one.
“Would you have a baby at 50?” the title of the provocative post that racked up hundreds of replies read.
“Off the back of the ‘Do you regret having a baby at 40’ thread, would you have a child at 50 assuming you can provide for it emotionally and financially? Obviously medical assistance would be needed,” the description added.
Soon enough, hundreds of people suggested it would be unreasonable for anyone to have a baby at such an age regardless of their financial capabilities.
“Definitely not. And I’m childless after IVF. I’d rather not be a mother than a mother at 50. It’s less about me and more thinking about the child,” someone wrote.
“Absolutely not. My youngest child will be nearly 18 when I turn 50 and my eldest will be 25. The idea of having a baby now (I’m 41) doesn’t appeal to be honest,” another added.
A third argued: “No. I wouldn’t want, anyway, but I also don’t think it would be fair to the baby to actively pursue that.”
While the majority of people seemed to agree on the stance, some hit back at the critics of late pregnancy saying some parents could prove more than sufficient despite their age.
“Yes, I would. I spent my 30s having fertility treatment which was unsuccessful. Went into menopause late 30s and thought eventually with hormones changing I would lose the yearning to be a mother, but that hasn’t changed. I’m mid 40s now and I actually yearn for it more than ever.
So yes, if it was possible, I would have a baby at 50. Unless you’ve experienced the bitter painful grief of childlessness not by choice I don’t think you could empathize with those who continue to pursue motherhood at a late age,” one woman explained.
Another said: “If I hadn’t had any and had tried for years to have one, then found myself pregnant at 50, I probably would have the baby and I think a lot of people in that situation would.”
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