Thursday, March 13, 2025

The Oldest Age Men and Women Should Have Kids is NOT EQUAL!

By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Christian Conservative LDS Priest 

The oldest age a man should have a child depends on multiple factors, including health, energy levels, financial stability, and life expectancy.

Key Considerations:

  1. Biological Factors

    • While men can technically father children well into old age, sperm quality declines over time. Studies suggest that after age 40-45, there is an increased risk of genetic mutations, autism, schizophrenia, and other developmental issues in children.
  2. Health & Energy

    • Raising a child requires stamina. A man in his 50s, 60s, or beyond may find it harder to keep up with an active child compared to his younger years.
  3. Longevity & Life Expectancy

    • If a man has a child at 65 or older, he may not be around to see the child graduate high school, get married, or have children of their own.
  4. Financial & Emotional Stability

    • Older fathers often have more financial resources, which can provide stability. However, a child also benefits from active, involved parents who can be around for major milestones.

Ideal Age Range:

  • Best Range: 25-45 (optimal sperm quality, health, and energy)
  • Acceptable but Riskier: 45-55 (higher genetic risks, but still viable)
  • Over 55: Possible, but with increasing risks for both the child and father’s ability to be active in their life.

Conclusion:

There’s no hard limit, but from a biological, practical, and ethical standpoint, men should aim to have children before their mid-50s to ensure they can provide both a healthy genetic start and a long-term presence in their child's life.

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The oldest age a woman should have a child depends on several factors, including biological, health, and practical considerations.

Key Considerations:

1. Biological Factors

  • A woman’s fertility declines significantly after 35. After 40, the chances of natural conception drop sharply.
  • Menopause (usually around 45-55 years old) marks the natural end of a woman’s reproductive years.
  • Older pregnancies have higher risks of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, miscarriage, and chromosomal abnormalities (like Down syndrome).

2. Health & Pregnancy Risks

  • Women over 35-40 are at higher risk for complications such as:
    • High blood pressure & diabetes
    • Premature birth & low birth weight
    • C-section necessity
    • Miscarriage (increases to ~50% after 45)

3. Child’s Well-being & Energy Levels

  • Raising a child requires physical stamina, which declines with age.
  • An older mother may face reduced energy for parenting a young child.
  • Lifespan considerations: A woman having a child at 50+ may not be around for key milestones in their child’s life.

4. Ethical & Practical Considerations

  • Egg Freezing & IVF: Some women freeze their eggs in their 20s-30s to use later. IVF can extend fertility into the 40s and even 50s, though success rates decline with age.
  • Social & Financial Stability: Older parents may be more financially secure but must balance health and longevity.

Ideal Age Range:

  • Best Age Range: 20-35 (optimal fertility, lowest risks)
  • Acceptable but Higher Risk: 35-45 (requires medical monitoring)
  • Over 45: Not recommended naturally (very high risks, often requires donor eggs or IVF)
  • 50+: Extremely rare, possible via medical interventions but with high risks to both mother and child.

Conclusion:

While medical advancements have allowed women to conceive later in life, biologically and practically, the safest and most responsible upper limit is around 45 years old with medical support. After that, the risks for both the mother and child become significantly higher.

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