Hey Tribe! On this episode of The Sophisticatedly Ratchet Podcast, we’re diving headfirst into one of life’s biggest decisions—to have kids or not? The Tribe breaks down the raw realities of parenthood, the freedom of a child-free life, and the societal pressures that come with both choices. From birth control mishaps to the deep-seated judgment toward people without kids, we’re keeping it all the way real. We explore whether having children is truly fulfilling or just an expectation, how career and mental health are impacted by parenting, and the importance of a solid support system when raising kids. And of course, we have to ask—are kids really the ultimate motivation in life, or is that just what society wants us to believe? Things get even spicier as we debate whether society unfairly judges parents based on their kids’ behavior, discuss high-profile cases like the Menendez brothers, and tackle the age-old question: Does having children affect your dating life? Plus, the team shares personal deal-breakers when it comes to picking a co-parent and what financial stability should look like before bringing a little one into the world. Whether you’re a proud parent, thinking about kids, or happily child-free, this episode is packed with unfiltered opinions, hilarious takes, and deep reflections on one of the most personal decisions you’ll ever make. We want to hear from you! Do you have a topic request, a question, or want to be a guest? Hit us up at SophisticatedlyRatchet@gmail.com LISTEN, FOLLOW, AND RATE 🎙️ Hosted & Created by:  TJ, Lil Moe, Flash, Shake, and Mash Follow Us! 📱INSTAGRAM 📱TWITTER 📱TIK TOK 🎥YOUTUBE Timestamps:  00:00:00: Introduction and housekeeping 00:00:11: Discussion on birth control and responsibility 00:01:56: Welcome back to another episode 00:03:24: Introduction of the hosts 00:04:02: Episode topic: Decision to have or not have kids 00:06:02: Inspiration for the episode from video clips 00:07:00: First video clip discussion: J.D. Vance's comment 00:14:20: Second video clip: Tracee Ellis Ross on childless women's contributions Here are the key chapters from the transcription with timestamps: 00:15:50: Discussion on Tracee Elderfrost's statement 00:17:08: Shake's opinion on the clip 00:20:02: Judgement on people without children 00:21:31: Personal experiences with societal pressure regarding having children 00:24:16: Discussion on living life for oneself vs. having children 00:28:13: The impact of having children on career, lifestyle, and mental health 00:29:41: Observations on family support in shelters 00:30:14: Challenges of parenting 00:31:06: Mental health impact of parenting 00:31:40: Personal experiences with parenting decisions 00:32:22: Impact of parenting on career 00:33:40: Advertisement for small businesses 00:34:19: Societal expectations and personal choices regarding having children 00:35:56: Personal reflections on not having children 00:37:25: The importance of a support system for raising children 00:38:42: Motivational aspects of having children 00:41:01: Fears and challenges of raising children in today's society 00:43:41: Societal judgment based on children's behavior 00:45:04: How society views criminals 00:47:04: Discussion on the Menendez brothers 00:47:16: Shifting to lighter topics: Dating and having children 00:49:40: Personal views on having children 00:55:56: Traits and deal breakers in partners for having children 00:58:00: Advice on planning for children and relationships 01:00:32: Parenting Tips and Priorities 01:00:50: Individuality in Parenting 01:01:12: Financial Stability and Parenting 01:01:56: Defining Me Time as a Parent 01:02:00: Episode Conclusion 01:02:06: Who Wins? A Discussion 01:03:40: Thank You and Call to Action