Well! I have to admit I don't know where to start. I was going to talk about the incredibly interesting conversation I had recently with Valerie Bryson (google her – she's a feminist political theorist). She sent me her paper on time-use studies which is fascinating, and I'm chuffed to bits because she's agreed to write something for my artists book.
But now, I'm preoccupied by Andrew Bryants comment below, and can't quite focus. 'why have children?' I just don't know how to answer this – it seems a very intimate thing to ask, and although I suspect Andrew is posing it as a philosophical enquiry, I can only think of very personal responses, (not all of which are polite! I wonder if his friend told him to mind his own business before that conversation ended?)
I think the word 'selfish' may be part of the irritant, as I suspect that most parents will argue that parenting is rooted in self sacrifice and generosity to another person, whereas non-parents are inherently selfish as they can choose when – and when not – to put others first.
I should also qualify my slightly prickly first reaction, by saying I'm not in the least offended by the question, which is one well worth asking. Not one I can answer here though. Except to say that all of the happiest moments of my life have involved my children, and as they get older I love asking their opinions -refreshing insight, lateral and flexible thinking and honesty that is worth more than most adults I meet.
