Controversial?

Was reading the news just now about more soldiers being killed while on active duty. One of those was a father of four.

That got me thinking; is it irresponsible for a serving soldier to have children?

Might be a controversial topic this one but the way I see it is simple. Being in the armed forces is a dangerous job, one which carries a higher than average chance of being killed while working. It's also a job likely to take you away from your family for long periods of time.

Kids need stability and so having a parent that is not always around must have some effect. Also to lose a family member is hard enough for an adult to cope with let alone a child.

It's all well and good a soldier getting married, as their other half can take a rational, considered and adult view on the risks involved. But any kids born do not have that luxury. They are born into a life that is really less than ideal for bringing up kids with the instability and risks thereof.

We see far too many pictures in the news of children crying as their military parent is flown back to the UK in a coffin.