Frankly, I don't think it's fair to have children past a certain age, whether you can do it or not. If you can't be reasonably sure you'll be able to run around after them all day or be there when they're grown up, that's a problem.

My grandfather had to be put in a nursing home at the age of 78. He couldn't function any more. My father was in his forties at the time. He had the money and experience to cope with his dad's illness (and luckily my grandmother was still functional). If I were in a similar situation now, at 21, and didn't have help, I wouldn't know what to do.

And I know we're also developing technologies that allow people to stay healthy for longer and longer periods of time - but average life expectancy in this country hasn't even hit 80 yet, and in most of the world, it's lower. You've got to wonder what it's like to know you've probably only got 20 or 25 years with your parents before their health starts to fail.

I don't know about this. I just don't know. It seems like a lot of effort and expense to go to for something that isn't really necessary, or even particularly wise.

[ November 13, 2002: Message edited by: Smith ]