Random Discussion Topic #2

Late-life parenting. A 62-year-old woman has given birth to a son—her 12th child—with the assistance of IVF.

Any time there’s a story like this, there’s always someone, somewhere, who pipes up to suggest it’s irresponsible to become a parent so late in life—although such criticisms tend to fall into a convenient double standard, with particular ire generally reserved for late-life mothers, rather than late-life fathers. That said, when Tony Randall had his first child in his 70s, I recall some murmuring then, too, about how it was unfair to the kid.

If I were going to get fussed about something, I’d probably comment on having 12 kids, rather than the mother’s age, about which I’m indifferent.

What do you think?

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