How the Childfree can help safeguard the futre

I saw this really interesting article in the Observer Cash section on Sunday

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/feb/03/1

Basically, it's about how childfree individuals are more likely to leave legacies to charities in their wills. In addition to being a coach, I'm also a fundraiser for charities and I know what an amazing gift a legacy can be to a charity.

I also know that before I had my child, I did leave a proporation of my (meagre) estate in my will but now I have the boy, I have left everything to him and my partner if he survives me. The article has made me re-think this - although because my partner is so much older than me (early 60's), I would really want him to be finanically secure to bring up my child.

So it think it's really an important point - particularly when people accuse childfree people of being selfish. When I'm coaching someone around the issue, one of the things I have them do is to identify there core values and look at how they can live those values - whether they have children or not. A strong value like 'Caring' can be lived in many ways - not just by having children. And leaving a legacy to a charity in your will is a great way to do this.

Comments

Expat mum said…
Hear Hear. If it makes any difference, I often say that people who decide not to have children are anything but selfish. Far too many people have children without thinking it through them either resent the kids or don't give them what they need.
decided said…
Selfishness is one of the most common things that I get accused of when I tell someone that my partner and I won't be having children.

To the people who use this accusation, any action or behaviour that does not revolve around having children is selfish.

So:
*Sleeping in in the mornings because you don't have a child = selfish
*Having a clean and tidy house because you don't have a child = selfish
*Giving time to charity because you have the time available by not having children = selfish
*Giving money to charity when you die because you don't have children to leave it to = selfish
*Helping people (not your child) when they have car troubles = selfish
*Saving a person's life (not your child) = selfish

This seems ridiculous to me!
Beth said…
Yeah, the whole selfish arguement is a non-starter really!

Decided I would love to interview you! Send me an email if you are interested.

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