[ROY]

I can’t speak for the Auld Sod but I don’t think the Irish have a history of ‘feeling this way.’ Like many other things there is some background that may expain it. Early in the history of this country, the only way most Irish could immigrate to here was by selling themselves into slavery for 7 years to pay for their ship passage to the United States. They endured slavery willingly because to continue living in Ireland meant they would most likely die of starvation. Temporary slavery and the possibilty of a life that might be better was preferable to what they faced in their home country. When they arrived in this country they faced discrimination. They emigrated in such large numbers after the potato blight and the subsequent famine in Ireland that they frightened those who were already here because they felt this influx of foreigners threatened their ability to earn a living. Signs were posted at places of employment that read, ‘IRISH NEED NOT APPLY.’ The transcontinental railroad was built mostly by workers of Irish descent in the East and workers of Asian descent in the West. The work was dangerous and many were killed, but it was often the only work either group could find due to discrimination. There is also an Irish social pecking order. We have labeled ourselves either Shanty Irish or Lace Curtain Irish. The Lace Curtain types tend to be more liberal, and the Shanty tend to be less so. Of course, this is stereotyping and is only true in a general sense. Those of us with less education find a number of things we don’t completely understand threatening. This can take the form of commentary you have either overheard or had directed at you. I don’t condone what you have experienced, but I hope my comments help you understand why it exists.

User Detail :  

Name : ROY, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 63, City : Butler, State : PA, Country : United States, Occupation : doctor, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[ROY]

You are concerned with what people think? Why do you want to adopt? If you want a child to love and teach and raise up to be a responsible human being what other people think is not germaine to the project. Children are children they become what you show them and teach them. It is a minumum of an 18 year obligation, not something you take up as a temporary hobby. What other people think is not important. What YOU THINK is IMPORTANT and that is the only thing that is important to your well being and that of the child. If you consistantly teach them that by word and example you will not only be doing your job as a parent but you will reap all the joys of being a parent.

User Detail :  

Name : ROY, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 63, City : Butler, State : PA, Country : United States, Occupation : doctor, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[ROY]

I have two children, grown and gone. If I had not had children, I feel I would have missed an interesting, challenging part of life. Could I have done without children? Yes. Would I have children if I could make the choice again? Yes. My daughter said, ‘Don’t worry Dad, you can live with me if you cannot take care of yourself.’ I told her that would never happen because I would not burden her with caring for an elderly person and that although I loved her unconditionally we had had our time together and taking care of me in my old age was not one of her responsibilities in this life. I think she understood that. The bottom-line answer to your question is that your life is what you make it, whether you have children or not. Many people who have children are old and alone despite having them. The people who are telling you that sorrow awaits you if you don’t have children are revealing what they think, not what will happen for you.

User Detail :  

Name : ROY, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 63, City : Butler, State : PA, Country : United States, Occupation : doctor, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

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