Do Men Have a Certain Age Where They Consider Themselves Unable to Have Kids?

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seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,440
5,387
113
#1
Hey Everyone,

After hearing some of the older women I know talk about "the change of life" (menopause; when a woman biologically stops being able to have children) and it's reportedly many dreaded symptoms. I have also talked young women who had difficult pregnancies within their marriages and were told or advised by their doctors that they would/should never have kids again, which set them on a long path of grief and mourning.

I was wondering what it's like for me, since they don't have a natural cycle that stops their ability to have children as women do.

I am especially interested in what it's like for single men who are searching for a spouse.

When I started out on my single journey, people told me, "You're young, you have plenty of time." And then the time started ticking... I had a certain age in my that was going to be my "cut-off" date for when I believed I could no longer think about having kids, and when that age came and went, I kept pushing it back further. But we women know we can only push it back so far.

What is this like for me?

* Do men think something like, "I could still have kids by 40... 45... 50?"

* Do men set their own "cut-off" age for themselves in their hearts? Especially for older men seeking someone much younger who might still want to have children (or have more than he already has, if he already has children/grandchildren.)

* What happens when that "cut-off" date eventually passes by? Does it get pushed back, or changed, depending on whom he might meet?

* Do men ever think, "Well I could always have kids, even at 65... no big deal"?

This thread isn't JUST for men -- all perspectives are welcome. Maybe there are women out there who have know a man who has talked about this and would like share. Maybe some of the ladies have more questions for the men than what I've listed here. And of course, our married friends are most welcome to tell us about their own experiences.

I would really like to hear about the process, if any, that men go through in thinking about their own ability to have children and whether they see it as something lifelong, or if they set some kind of deadline. I realize the answers are highly individual so that's part of what I would like to learn about.

Many of the women I've talked to feel as if they've lost their femininity and value as women when or if they are unable to have, or have more children, and I was wondering if men go through a similar grieving process.

I'm looking forward to this discussion.
 

JohnDB

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2021
6,191
2,508
113
#2
Well,
Considering that one of the goals in life is to get the children raised to be self sufficient and leave the house before you die....

It's combined with life expectancy.

And besides....
The only thing children seem to remember is every mistake you ever made (real or imagined) and your Netflix password.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,440
5,387
113
#3
And besides.... The only thing children seem to remember is every mistake you ever made (real or imagined) and your Netflix password.
The honesty of this last part really made me smile. :)

Over the years here in Singles, we have often had older men speaking of their desire to find much younger women to marry. And I understand that, but as with any situation of extremes (such as the wish of some women who are looking for men who can provide financial stability), I always wonder what the give and take balance looks like, because it can't be all one-sided.

For instance, if a 55-year-old man meets a 35-year-old woman who wants to either have kids or have more kids, what does he decide to do?

Again, I realize that each answer is going to vary with each person.

The odd thing in my life is that it was always older men who tried to talk to me. But once I became older myself, it's often been younger guys who have tried to talk to me. And God used that to put me in situation that made me have to face the topic of age differences from the other side.

A while back, I was seeing someone a bit younger and he asked me about marriage and kids. I told him that because I'm getting older, and because of medical issues my doctor is concerned about, I always figured that if I got married at this stage, my spouse and I would have to talk about which one of us would get "the snip" (vasectomy or tubes tied.)

But the guy I was seeing made an excellent point that I had never even thought about. He said, "What if we got married, and, God forbid, something happened to you in 5 years? And what if I met someone younger, and she wanted to have kids -- because our marriage had left me unable to have them?"

That REALLY got me thinking. And the conclusion I came to, if I ever DID marry someone much younger, it would be completely unfair for me to ask him to put a stop to his ability to have children. And if he still wanted children, I would have no choice but to let him go (at one point in my life, I wanted to adopt, but for personal reasons, I no longer see that as a viable choice.)

I'm sure it was also God's way of pointing out to me how self-centered my thinking was, and that I'd require a lot of work if I were ever to properly love and serve a spouse.

And so I wonder what men in these situations think.

If a man had to choose between letting a younger woman go because he can't or doesn't want to produce the family she longs for, would he let her go, go ahead and have the family she wants, or hope that she changes her mind (forgets about kids) and stays with him?
 
S

Seeking-Christ

Guest
#4
I don't think it's a good idea for me to have kids. I'm 43 years old. I think you also got to consider the kids too. How old would I be when that Kid is a teenager? Will I be too old to be able to continue to do things with the Kids? Also i have a learning disability, and up to this point in my life, it has put enough obstacles in my life that I may never be independent enough to be a parent.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,254
9,305
113
#5
All I know is I feel sorry for Abraham. How in the world did he have the energy at that age to raise Isaac?
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#6
no usually men just leave it all that sort of thing to the women, the whole raising and caring and washing and cleaning and cooking and making sure they brush their teeth

the men at the retirement village go there to GET AWAY from any sort of responsibily for kids. Grandkids, their own kids, other peoples kids....they HATE kids. Thats why kids are banned from living there.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,440
5,387
113
#7
no usually men just leave it all that sort of thing to the women, the whole raising and caring and washing and cleaning and cooking and making sure they brush their teeth

the men at the retirement village go there to GET AWAY from any sort of responsibily for kids. Grandkids, their own kids, other peoples kids....they HATE kids. Thats why kids are banned from living there.
Well, I've known a lot of guys who loved kids and very much wanted them...

But now you have me wondering if any child-hating men are going to be brave enough to wander in here and declare to the world just how much they hate children... 😳🤔😬

Especially since we were all kids at some point. 🪀🧸🧮
 

JohnDB

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2021
6,191
2,508
113
#8
The honesty of this last part really made me smile. :)

Over the years here in Singles, we have often had older men speaking of their desire to find much younger women to marry. And I understand that, but as with any situation of extremes (such as the wish of some women who are looking for men who can provide financial stability), I always wonder what the give and take balance looks like, because it can't be all one-sided.

For instance, if a 55-year-old man meets a 35-year-old woman who wants to either have kids or have more kids, what does he decide to do?

Again, I realize that each answer is going to vary with each person.

The odd thing in my life is that it was always older men who tried to talk to me. But once I became older myself, it's often been younger guys who have tried to talk to me. And God used that to put me in situation that made me have to face the topic of age differences from the other side.

A while back, I was seeing someone a bit younger and he asked me about marriage and kids. I told him that because I'm getting older, and because of medical issues my doctor is concerned about, I always figured that if I got married at this stage, my spouse and I would have to talk about which one of us would get "the snip" (vasectomy or tubes tied.)

But the guy I was seeing made an excellent point that I had never even thought about. He said, "What if we got married, and, God forbid, something happened to you in 5 years? And what if I met someone younger, and she wanted to have kids -- because our marriage had left me unable to have them?"

That REALLY got me thinking. And the conclusion I came to, if I ever DID marry someone much younger, it would be completely unfair for me to ask him to put a stop to his ability to have children. And if he still wanted children, I would have no choice but to let him go (at one point in my life, I wanted to adopt, but for personal reasons, I no longer see that as a viable choice.)

I'm sure it was also God's way of pointing out to me how self-centered my thinking was, and that I'd require a lot of work if I were ever to properly love and serve a spouse.

And so I wonder what men in these situations think.

If a man had to choose between letting a younger woman go because he can't or doesn't want to produce the family she longs for, would he let her go, go ahead and have the family she wants, or hope that she changes her mind (forgets about kids) and stays with him?
A lot of these issues can be resolved.

If you want kids (tubes or no tubes and irrespective of vasectomy) and adoption is way too expensive and has massive delays and risks.

There are snowflake babies. There are literally millions of snowflake babies waiting to be "adopted" but it's not really an adoption.

Basically these are frozen embryos waiting for implantation. The child will be yours from birth even if the DNA is not yours or his.

And I'm not really a fan of vasectomy or tubal ligation. There's a lot of risks associated with those procedures for the long term.
There are a lot of oral contraceptives available these days for both sexes....although male oral contraceptives tend to have more risks associated with their use.

All that being said....

What you said about being too selfish or self absorbed is true. And it's one of those things that I noticed quite painfully when I became divorced and joined in with the singles bible study class. (Didn't want to but was somewhat strong armed into going)

And as I sat there just listening to the others around me I instantly recognized the difference between being married and being single and how these singles were somewhat flirty but reserved and completely self absorbed in a Christianese sort of fashion.

It caused me to cry inside and beg God to not let me go there with my self absorption. These people became friends...and for singles they were some of the best...but they are blind to their self absorbed lifestyle. They can't help it or see it to fix it. Absolutely blind to living an others focused lifestyle. And no one was actually doing anything wrong. These are moral people. Trying to be upright and blameless in all their lifestyles.

I knew instantly that they couldn't help it and I was so scared I couldn't either one day.

In marriage there is no "I" only a "we" mentality....which is what children bring to the table. They are an extended "we" because they are a part of you too.

Children bring a unique aspect of the "we" mentality because they are always learning and listening and paying attention to what their parents do with god-like worship. And, like mankind, they will rebel and eventually leave.
 
Aug 2, 2009
24,644
4,305
113
#9
I wouldn't have a child at my age whether I could or not because I don't want to be like Tony Randall who had a kid in his 60's and then died around the age of 70 leaving his kid without a father. But if someone else wants to have a kid late in life, more power to them.
 

Subhumanoidal

Well-known member
Sep 17, 2018
4,057
3,172
113
#10
Not so much an unable, but unwise. I decided not to have kids in my 30s due to health problems (though that chance never presented itself anyways, so it was irrelevant). Before that I'd never really considered when too late would be. But I assume it would be in my 40s.

My cousin had his first kid around 60, not intending to get his new (first time being married, and she's much younger) wife pregnant. He was quite upset at the prospect for many reasons, age certainly being one of them. Then he had a second kid 😂

I think different factors should be involved in how old you are when you decide to stop. Finances, health, amount of physical activity expected, etc... Not really a single correct answer.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,440
5,387
113
#11
I don't think it's a good idea for me to have kids. I'm 43 years old. I think you also got to consider the kids too. How old would I be when that Kid is a teenager? Will I be too old to be able to continue to do things with the Kids? Also i have a learning disability, and up to this point in my life, it has put enough obstacles in my life that I may never be independent enough to be a parent.
I wouldn't have a child at my age whether I could or not because I don't want to be like Tony Randall who had a kid in his 60's and then died around the age of 70 leaving his kid without a father. But if someone else wants to have a kid late in life, more power to them.
Not so much an unable, but unwise. I decided not to have kids in my 30s due to health problems (though that chance never presented itself anyways, so it was irrelevant). Before that I'd never really considered when too late would be. But I assume it would be in my 40s.

My cousin had his first kid around 60, not intending to get his new (first time being married, and she's much younger) wife pregnant. He was quite upset at the prospect for many reasons, age certainly being one of them. Then he had a second kid 😂

I think different factors should be involved in how old you are when you decide to stop. Finances, health, amount of physical activity expected, etc... Not really a single correct answer.
I really appreciate all the heartfelt answers, and hope others will continue to join in.

I wanted to ask you gentlemen in particular, since you are also single and have come to the conclusion (or are considering) not having kids. If it's too personal, by all means, please don't answer, but I was wondering:

When you decided not to have kids, was there a sense of loss or grief?

I know that when I realized it was over, really, truly over, I felt like... I'm not sure. Like I had maybe failed at this huge biological function that is expected of women. I also know I've never felt quite like a fully grown adult in a way because I didn't have kids. Or like I won't ever fully integrate into society as a childless, single adult.

Have you had women reject you because of not wanting to have kids? I'm just asking because I know I've had men reject me because of that, but I understand. I wouldn't have felt right taking away someone's dream of having a family.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,440
5,387
113
#12
And I'm not really a fan of vasectomy or tubal ligation. There's a lot of risks associated with those procedures for the long term. There are a lot of oral contraceptives available these days for both sexes....although male oral contraceptives tend to have more risks associated with their use.
Hi John!

I always appreciate the feedback you provide from life experience!Thank you for everything you've shared.

I'm not disagreeing with you about this at all, but I just wanted to mention that some people can't take hormonal therapies (in case there are others out there who may have this issue too,) so chemical contraceptives might not be an option.

Without going into all the details of my own medical history, due to certain factors, my doctor said she would not want me on these meds because I would have a significantly greater risk of a stroke, blood clots, and heart attack.

I'm just mentioning this for the sake of those out there who might have much more limited options.
 
S

Seeking-Christ

Guest
#13
I really appreciate all the heartfelt answers, and hope others will continue to join in.

I wanted to ask you gentlemen in particular, since you are also single and have come to the conclusion (or are considering) not having kids. If it's too personal, by all means, please don't answer, but I was wondering:

When you decided not to have kids, was there a sense of loss or grief?

I know that when I realized it was over, really, truly over, I felt like... I'm not sure. Like I had maybe failed at this huge biological function that is expected of women. I also know I've never felt quite like a fully grown adult in a way because I didn't have kids. Or like I won't ever fully integrate into society as a childless, single adult.

Have you had women reject you because of not wanting to have kids? I'm just asking because I know I've had men reject me because of that, but I understand. I wouldn't have felt right taking away someone's dream of having a family.
I wish I had the confidence to raise a kid, but due to my life struggles, I don't think I would make a good father. I don't think women have rejected me for it. Mainly because most don't get to know me well enough to know how I feel about having kids.
 
S

Seeking-Christ

Guest
#16
On the internet it was a little different. When I was in my 20's I felt ok about talking about sex and kids. There were maybe 2 girls that I decided to test. I told them that if I got married would get a vasectomy. One or both of them said to me: "No! You would make a great father" I responded: "How do you know?" They responded: "I just know". So that was kind of an interesting conversation. :ROFL: But please keep in mind that I knew I wasn't going to date or marry those girls. They were just Catholic girls that I happened to meet in a yahoo or aol chatroom, and both lived a long ways away from me.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,440
5,387
113
#17
For our married friends (the husbands:)

* Is there a certain sadness after you and your wife had what you might have decided or known was going to be a last child?

* Did you have a desire for more, but knew you couldn't due to health (whether his or hers) or financial issues?

* Did it leave you with any unfulfilled longings for more children, and how did you learn to cope with them?
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,574
17,040
113
69
Tennessee
#19
For our married friends (the husbands:)

* Is there a certain sadness after you and your wife had what you might have decided or known was going to be a last child?

* Did you have a desire for more, but knew you couldn't due to health (whether his or hers) or financial issues?

* Did it leave you with any unfulfilled longings for more children, and how did you learn to cope with them?
I was happy with just my one daughter and had no desire to have more. Mainly, because my first wife was verbally and physically abusive. She was also lazy. She did not have to work, yet she never did housework, laundry or cook a meal for me after working hard all day. On top of that she cheated on me. At that point I was all set not having any more kids, especially with her.
 

JohnDB

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2021
6,191
2,508
113
#20
For our married friends (the husbands:)

* Is there a certain sadness after you and your wife had what you might have decided or known was going to be a last child?

* Did you have a desire for more, but knew you couldn't due to health (whether his or hers) or financial issues?

* Did it leave you with any unfulfilled longings for more children, and how did you learn to cope with them?
Now my wife is 17 years younger than I.

She is still young enough....but she has a condition that will make it very difficult.
My first child is grown.

And she and I are torn over the whole issue. We would like one. Dunno if it's in the cards or not. God knows.

I'm dying before her...male and 17 years older and it's a given. Dont want to leave her alone either....

We just don't know the future. Or what to do either.