As we grow up to become parents ourselves, we often wonder why our mom and dad would have thought of bringing us into this world. Poor financial health or unhealthy relationships between our parents make us question why they would have decided to give birth, often making our lives miserable. While it is undoubtedly incorrect to question their parenting decisions, we cannot deny that most of us are guilty of having these doubts in our minds. But what do you think would be our parents’ reactions if we were actually to ask them why they gave birth to us? Slaps or flying slippers?! Well, this man took a step forward, quite literally. He is dragging his parents to court for giving birth to him. Yes, you read that right.
Most of us are dealing with our parents emotionally convincing us to ‘start our families’. Many couples are, in fact, bringing their children into the world with their own choice, be it as an heir or someone to look after them in old age. But with ‘consent’ being the new normal, how will you respond if your toddler asks you why you brought them into this world? Worse still? While you struggle with old age, your son, in his late twenties, decides to sue you for bringing him into this world. Why? Because, consent!
Something similar happened in a bizarre incident when Raphael Samuel, a 27-year-old Indian man, sparked controversies when he decided to sue his parents for giving him birth without his consent. The news went viral after Samuel, a committed antinatalist, took to Facebook to share his views on why he had decided to take his parents to court. Supporting other posts on antinatalism, he wrote, “Why must I suffer when they had me for their own joy and pleasure?”
For those still scratching their heads, here’s some explanation. The concept of antinatalism is a belief system that says human life is full of suffering and misery, and hence, humans should stop procreating (giving birth) as a form of showing compassion. Raphael Samuel is a believer in this school of thought. He feels it is morally incorrect for people to procreate, as it increases the suffering and burdens the earth. He also believes that giving birth is the ‘most narcissistic act’ as people only do it because they want to. In his opinion, the world is already suffering, and introducing a child to such an environment is an act of selfishness.
While Samuel’s claim that his parents should have sought his consent before giving birth to him does not have a rational explanation, his demand to sue his parents has sparked controversy ever since. Ironically, both his parents are lawyers, and yet the 27-year-old plans to drag them in court for not ‘asking him’ whether he wants to be born in a world that already lacks resources for the generations ahead.
Raphael’s mom opened up on Facebook, stating how she “admires” her son’s audacity, but netizens aren’t quite happy with his decision. Many have labelled this as a ‘ridiculous case’, while some have even called him out for his act of ‘ingratitude’. However, Samuel is undeterred in his preachings about antinatalism.
