Dad at 72

[zzxxee]

Just saw a programme about a dad who was 72 and his son is around 10 months.
His eldest child is 50
He appears a fit healthy active guy.
What are your views on older parents ?

[Purple_Popple]

I wouldnt begrudge anyone children at any age, especially if they have been trying to have a child for ever....more and more women are having children into their 50s now thanks to science, the only sad thing is that the parents MAY not be fit enough to enjoy running around with their young family at such an age....and then what happens to their offspring if they die ?

[PipinHull]

I wouldn't begrudge anyone either, as such, but would suggest that having children is not a right, as some people seem to think it is (not meaning you Purple). In custody cases now the focus is on a child's rights to see its parents, not the other way round, and I think that's an important change. I cannot in all honesty see how a parent could claim that they are thinking of the child's best interests by knocking one out at the age of 72. They must know that they are creating multiple problems for their child.

[Count-A-Strong]

Totally selfish.

[cazzz1975]

I think its selfish to have a child at an age where you know that they will spend the majority of their life without you around

[alexanderd]

I am getting close to that age and would hate to have a child knowing I would not see it grow up.

[boxtops]

If the mother is a lot younger then I don't see the problem - having a parent into old age is an expectation but not a guarantee. My mum was 47 when she had my brother over 50 years ago, it was a natural conception (and a hell of a shock), she felt awkward at parents' days when she was old enough to be the other mothers' mother. However - having a youngster kept her very youthful in mind. If the dad is OK and they can afford it, then why not?

[cazzz1975]

I dont think its okay to voluntarily rob a child of his right to have a father just because the mother is young

[joggerjayne]

Too many think of children in terms of "rights" ...

"It should be my right to have children" etc.

Well, children are not a "right" ... they are a "responsibility".

The only people who should have rights are the children.

[karenmac60]

Well said JJ!

[arwyn]

My son who is 20 years old said to me that he thought I'd had him late in life----- I was 28.

[starone]

My daughter had her one and only child when she was 38. I was 68 and my thought at the time was entirely selfish in that I would not live long enough to see him grow up. He is now 16 and I am still here, so hopefully if I can hang on for another few years . . . (three dots, not five). The same thought should be if a child is born to a very old parent as above. It is not fair to the child if one or both of the parents are not going to be there for him or her. A child needs a stable background with both parents if possible.

[grasscarp]

I dont think it is fair on the child. When this child is a teenager the father will be 85 (if still alive). Even before that think of the teasing at school and the realisation that your father is at the age of the the other children's grandparents/great grandparents. The father will not be there to see them become 21, or may just be at 93!

[China Doll]

I don't think anyone should be becoming a parent at the age of 72, male or female. (Although I agree the latter is unlikely).

[NOX]

I think that few if ANY parents are perfect, and advanced age is only one imperfection. If the person concerned is fit and well and suited for parenthood ( patient, kind, interested in their child's health and welfare) then I don't see age alone as something which ought to preclude them from having children. Life is unexpected, peole die at all ages, people leave their partners and children- there is never any guarantee that ANY child will know both it's parents during it's childhood- and then there are simply those people who are young but unsuited to parenthood ( like my parents). I dont think it's possible to generalise about anyone's decision to have children. I'm sure they've thought about it themselves and that's enough- our opinions whatever they might be really don't matter.

[jd_1984]

^^^^ Nice One

[ladyalex]

I totally agree with Nox.
It is nobody's business except theirs.

[Old_Geezer]

Morality is everyone's business.
If you are not likely to be around for the child as they grow into adulthood, then you are indulging in selfish behaviour with insufficient thought to the individual you are bringing into the world.

[hannah40]

i had my last child at 46 yrs i am fit and well and have so much more patience now than when i had my 1st at 20 i only have 2 children 26yrs apart.yes my son could be my daughters dad and he plays with her as a young dad would play with there children but my hubby and i are young at heart and my daughter doesnt think anything of having an older mum and dad,my mum is 80 and fit and well and if i live to 80 my daughter will be well into her 30.s i could die earlier but so could a younger person children need love support and time and our daughter gets that from both of us and will do until the day we die.

[cazzz1975]

why do people always say they had no patience in their 20's? I had tons, I find I am generally crankier as I get older