Adoption

Nathan: The other night we were talking about kids. Since you want some, would you consider adopting any?

R: Possibly, but I'd want to try to have at least one of my own first.

Nathan: It seems like it'd be better if less people wanted to have their own children.

R: I know. There are so many children who go unwanted. I am selfish that way, I guess.

Nathan: Every time I hear someone planning to have his or her own children, I consider that one more child that won't be adopted.

R: I know of quite a few families who have their own children and take in foster kids. I could do that. I don't think it is wrong to want your own child.

Nathan: I wouldn't think it's necessarily blameworthy as in, let's call the judge.

R: Right. Most people want to perpetuate their family genetically.

Nathan: I can't convince myself there are any good reasons for that.

R: Really?

Nathan: Yeah.

R: You don't think the human race should be perpetuated?

Nathan: Well, it's kind of hard to think of a good reason for that either, but when I said that just now, I meant perpetuating families genetically when there are children to be adopted.

R: Yeah, I understand that, but shouldn't the blame lie more on the people who have the unwanted children to begin with?

Nathan: Yeah, but blaming doesn't solve anything.

R: True. I guess I'm just selfish. (I don't think it is selfish for people to want to have their own children. It's only fair for them to be able to if they're going to care for them, but I do think it is unreasonable to prefer that over adoption just for the sake of DNA.)