By The Sun Team
Viral post on whether poor people should have children divides opinion on responsibility, rights, and financial readiness
A provocative social media post questioning whether financially struggling individuals should have children has triggered a wave of reactions online, exposing a deep divide over personal responsibility, human rights, and economic reality.
The discussion, which gained significant traction on Threads, reflects a recurring tension in public discourse: whether parenthood should be treated as a fundamental right regardless of circumstance, or a strategic decision tied strictly to financial stability.
The debate was triggered by user @fardoubleezhayde, who took a remarkably direct stance.
“Can poor people stop thinking about marriage and having children? Build up your credit and grow your assets first. I do not want to see any more child labour on the streets,” the user wrote, adding, “If you are already poor, be self-aware.”
The post suggests that financial readiness is a prerequisite for starting a family, explicitly linking poverty to systemic issues such as child exploitation.
While the sentiment is not new, the uncompromising wording acted as a lightning rod for criticism and support alike.
Many users sided with the original poster, framing the decision to have children while in poverty as a disservice to the child.
User @annyanyan wrote, “Your children are not your retirement plan. Your children are not your slaves,” echoing a common criticism of a culture where children are sometimes expected to provide financial security for their parents.
Other netizens shared real-world observations to support the need for financial gatekeeping in parenthood.
User @oh.that.nafisa described seeing young children selling food late at night while a parent waited nearby, arguing these children should be studying or resting.
User @fieafiqahhh recounted a case where a child was allegedly forced to beg at a bus station, calling the situation inherently unfair.
A counter-perspective emerged, suggesting that the core issue is not poverty itself, but a lack of parental responsibility.
User @nadtsya.ii argued that financial hardship is manageable if individuals actively strive to improve their situation rather than neglecting their duties to their children.
Source: children-are-not-retirement-plans-netizens-rally-against-parenting-without-financial-readiness
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of Kritik.com.my. As an open platform, we welcome diverse perspectives, but the accuracy and integrity of contributed content remain the responsibility of the individual writer. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate the information presented.