How long should parents have to care for their children...

Question

in the past people only lived to be about 36 give or take a few years, children were married off by 12 and started having children at this age. My question is back then the parents took care of their children 1/3 of their lives so are we suppose to take care of are children 1/3 of their life's and what age are we expected to start bearing offspring. The average man and woman lives til their mid 80s.

So are children suppose to be with us until they are 28 and start having children then or do you really think 18 is mature enough? People way back in the past seemed to have matured faster because they lived shorter lives so is this why things are the way they are?

Answer 1

Parents take care of their kids forever. A parent never stops taking care of their kid.

Answer 2

I don't know about anyone else, but I will care for my children as long as I live.  My legal obligation ended when they turned 18, but my moral obligation is forever.  If they ever need my help, I'll be there, whether they are 20 or 30 or  50.   As long as I'm here, I'm here for them.  My own mother was still taking care of me with her words and her love, even when I was middle aged and she was 82 and confined to a bed and could hardly talk.    

Answer 3

Do mean taking care of or supporting? As for taking care of a true parent never will. As for supporting, that's a different subject. It all depends in what the child has accomplished. If he/she has done nothing through high school & just wants to lay around your house & have you clothes, feed and shelter them. It's time for that child to get a quick dose of reality. Now if the child is working & going to  college or trade school. Then a little extra time at home won't hurt. So take a good look at your child & decide where he or she is headed in life.

Answer 4

There is no set age, my kids will have a place here whenever they may need it, My mom always said her kids never truley left they just brought more home. lol

Answer 5

18-20years

Answer 6

When they are 18 or 19 they should be out of school and heading to college

Answer 7

u dont need kids hunt her down

Answer 8

i think it all depends. some parents are so attached that they do not want their children to ever leave home. while others want their children out as soon as they graduate high school. i personally would want my children out when they are stable with a job, have their own car and can prove that they can manage the outside life on their own. it is hard, and i would never want my children to go in the real world without being ready.. but as far as how long you need to care for your child- that is something that will happen will all parents until the day they die. All parents would put money out to help their children if they need it, provide groceries (though not a full months worth) and even just giving them money for absolutely nothing at all. that is what parents due and I know that is something i will do as well when my children leave.

Answer 9

not sure what you mean by "have to care for"

financial support? room and board?

being a parent is a lifetime commitment-there is no cutoff point at which you say see ya-i'm done (although some do). of course. it is the purest and most unconditional love, and if they need you you are there.

Answer 10

Depends on the kid and the situation.

Life is very different today than it was 100 years ago.

There is virtually no way to expect a 18 year old today to get married, have 2-3 kids right away and still go to college and get a degree. Ok-there are people who do it but lets face it-thats a hard life trying to juggle all of that.

Also even if a kid does move out on their own at 18 and gets a apartment somewhere are they honestly "living on their own"? I mean think of it-so many of them still come over to borrow money from mom and dad like twice a month (if not more) or have mom and dad paying the bills or car payment. I lived with my parents off and on up until i was 30. I kind of bounced around-moved iin with this buddy, moved in with this relative, moved back in with my parents, moved in with a buddy again, back in with my parents-it went on and on. Then i got married and settled down, bought a house of our own. Things are great now.

Answer 11

Until they have to take care of you. That's the ultimate payback!

Answer 12

I say until they are able to go out and make it on their own.  If they have a good job and make plenty of money then why the heck are they still staying with their parents.  The longer you let your child live with you in their adult years the harder it will be for them to make it on their own.

Answer 13

Hi Foxy!

I don't have children yet; but I don't think our offspring ever stop being our 'children' I guess I'd provide for them, for as long as they wanted me to, I'd never force them to leave home. Most children these days tend to leave home between the ages of 18-25, but due to high costs of living etc some are still living at home past that age.

Rhianna x