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Proof of Likelihood of Suffering

Statistics and other empirical evidence demonstrating widespread suffering in the world that a potential child will likely endure

Average happiness in the world is a 5.3/10, or an F grade based on the US grade system, before being adjusted to the population sizes of each country with many large countries like China, India, and Nigeria below this average.

 

No country on Earth has an average life satisfaction rating ranking above a 7-8 out of 10 (meaning everyone is at a C or lower on average in even the best countries in the world based on the US grading system), with the U.S. at 6-7

  • While it also shows people getting happier overtime, there is no guarantee this will remain stable (especially considering climate change) and, even if it was, there is no way to know if your child will be part of that group. It’s not your risk to take. Also, a nonexistent person has no desires, so taking that risk does not benefit them as they would not care until they are born and never even wanted to be alive to experience pleasure.

 

Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (46.6 million in 2017).

 

1 of every 6-7 people have substance abuse or mental health issues

  • Important note: The true prevalence of mental health disorders globally remains poorly understood. Diagnosis statistics alone would not bring us close to the true figure — mental health is typically underreported, and under-diagnosed. If relying on mental health diagnoses alone, prevalence figures would be likely to reflect healthcare spending (which allows for more focus on mental health disorders) rather than giving a representative perspective on differences between countries; high-income countries would likely show significantly higher prevalence as a result of more diagnoses.

 

Mental health issues are rising globally.

 

An estimated 26% of Americans ages 18 and older -- about 1 in 4 adults -- suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.

 

Nearly Half the World Lives on Less than $5.50 a Day

  • More people in the Global North will exacerbate conditions in the Global South as well

 

78% of U.S. workers live paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet, more than 25% of workers do not set aside any savings each month, nearly 75% of workers say they are in debt today and more than 50% think they will always be, and more than 50% of minimum wage workers say they have to work more than one job to make ends meet with 70% of them in debt.

 

In the US, 1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men will develop cancer in their lifetime. Now, a similar rate has been reported in the UK, with a new study published in the British Journal of Cancer claiming 1 in 2 men and women will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lives.

 

The U.S. federal government is not under the control of its own citizens.

 

Climate change is expected to displace 1 billion people by 2050. 

 

Climate change-driven famine poses global security threat

 

6/10 adults in the US have a chronic disease and 4/10 have two or more.

 

12.7%  of the United States is disabled

 

71.6% of the US at the age of 20 or above is overweight or obese.

 

Current research suggests that suicide ideation and attempts among adolescents have nearly doubled since 2008, making suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for individuals 10-34 years of age. 

 

17% of students reported experiencing one type of bias-based bullying, specifically gender, race, and disability being the most common reasons for being targeted, which increases the student’s fear of being harmed, school avoidance, and negative effects on physical, psychological, and academic well-being.

 

Approximately 1 in 5 children and youth in the US experience serious mental health concerns associated with trauma, social isolation, and bullying, yet only 20% of them receive the help they need. 

 

Approximately 34% of students report experiencing cyberbullying during their lifetime Over 60% of students who experience cyberbullying reported that it immensely impacted their ability to learn and feel safe while at school 

 

59% of U.S. teens have been bullied or harassed online, and over 90% believe it's a major problem for people their age. Nearly 1 in 5 students (21%) report being bullied during the school year, impacting over 5 million youth annually. Youth who are bullied are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement, and dropping out of school 

 

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year.

 

Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment.

 

People with an anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety disorders.

 

In addition, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 13 globally suffers from anxiety. The WHO reports that anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders worldwide with specific phobia, major depressive disorder and social phobia being the most common anxiety disorders.

 

Asked about their feelings the previous day, the majority of Americans (55%) in 2018 said they had experienced stress during a lot of the day, nearly half (45%) said they felt worried a lot and more than one in five (22%) said they felt anger a lot.

 

Teen Suicide Rate Spikes 56% in a Decade

 

The estimated proportion of the general population aged 60 and over with dementia at a given time is between 5-8% (1 in every 12.5 to 20 people).

 

34.2 million Americans—just over 1 in 10—have diabetes.

 

88 million American adults—approximately 1 in 3—have prediabetes.

 

New diagnosed cases of type 1 and type 2 diabetes have significantly increased among US youth.

 

The percentage of adults with prediabetes who were aware they had the condition doubled between 2005 and 2016, but most continue to be unaware.

 

32% of American workers have medical debt, about 28% of those who have an outstanding balance owe $10,000 or more on their bills, and over half have defaulted on it

  • Americans spend an average of about $5,000 a year on out-of-pocket health care costs, including insurance, prescriptions and medical supplies

  • Last year, the cost of medical care rose 4.6% from what consumers were paying in 2018, the largest year-over-year increase since 2007

  • Prescription drug prices and the cost of hospital services both rose 3% from 2018 to 2019, while physician services also saw a slight year-over-year increase.

  • 45% of survey respondents say they feel worried or stressed when thinking about health care costs. 

  • A third report they have avoided going to the doctor and getting medical care due to the cost.

 

The average millennial today (ages 23 to 38) has 41% less wealth than those who were at a similar age in 1989

  • Millennials currently earn 20% less than Baby Boomers did at the same stage of life, despite being better educated, the report finds. And if health-care costs are eating into that stagnant — and at times unreliable — paycheck, that will have an impact.

  • “There’s just less [money] available to do everything else with, including build wealth and save,” Cramer says. It’s perhaps not surprising that we’re seeing this economic insecurity delay future planning and over time, could lead to poor wealth outcomes overall.

  • “If the diverse cohort of young adults who constitute the millennial generation can’t improve their financial balance sheets by earning more, increasing their assets and lowering their liabilities, their climb up the economic ladder won’t be delayed— it won’t occur at all,” Cramer concludes.

 

Annual medical expenses for the country totaled about $3.6trn in 2018.1 Individuals shoulder those costs directly—through co-payments, deductibles, and monthly coverage fees—and indirectly, through taxes.

 

81 Percent Of Women Have Experienced Sexual Harassment

 

Approximately 1 in 5 (21.3% or an estimated 25.5 million) women in the U.S. reported completed or attempted rape at some point in their lifetime, including completed forced penetration, attempted forced penetration, or alcohol/drug facilitated completed penetration. 

 

About 2.6% of U.S. men (an estimated 2.8 million) experienced completed or attempted rape victimization in their lifetime.

 

About 1 in 14 men (7.1% or nearly 7.9 million) in the U.S. was made to penetrate someone else (attempted or completed) at some point in their lifetime.

 

Approximately 1 in 6 women (16.1% or an estimated 19.2 million women) and approximately 1 in 10 men (9.6% or an estimated 10.6 million men) experienced sexual coercion (e.g., being worn down by someone who repeatedly asked for sex, sexual pressure due to someone using their influence or authority) at some point in their lifetime.

A majority of female victims of completed or attempted rape first experienced such victimization early in life, with 81.3% (nearly 20.8 million victims) reporting that it first occurred prior to age 25.

 

The majority of male victims (70.8% or an estimated 2.0 million) of completed or attempted rape reported that their first experience occurred prior to age 25.”(Smith et al., 2018, p. 2)

 

More than one-quarter of male victims of completed rape (27.8%) experienced their first rape when they were 10 years of age or younger.

 

11 million or 43.2% of females reported their first completed or attempted rape occurred prior to age 18.

 

For men, 51.3% or 1.5 million men first experienced completed or attempted rape prior to age 18

 

Nationwide, 7.4% of youth had been physically forced to have sexual intercourse in their lifetime. The prevalence rate for females was 11.3% and 3.5% for males. Having been forced to have sexual intercourse was higher among gay, lesbian, and bisexual students (21.9%) than heterosexual students (5.4%).

 

Almost one in 10 students (9.7%) had been forced to do “sexual things” (e.g., kissing, touching, or being physically forced to have sexual intercourse) they did not want to do one or more times during the 12 months before the survey.

 

Many children and youth were exposed to multiple types of experiences with violence, crime, or abuse, with over 40% having at least one direct experience during that year (Hamby et al., 2011).

 

Overall sexual victimization, reported at 6.1% during the initial study, declined slightly to 5% (4.1% of boys and 5.9% of girls) during 2014 when asked about the past year.

 

Girls 14 to 17 years old were at highest risk with 16.4% experiencing a sexual offense, and 4.6% experiencing sexual assault during that past year

 

14.3% of 14-17 year old girls and 6.0% of boys ages 14-17 indicated they had experienced sexual assault during their life. Completed rape had occurred to 4.5% of girls and 2.3% of boys. Sexual assault by a known adult occurred to 4.3% of girls and 1.1% of boys.

 

It is estimated that approximately 35% of women worldwide have experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime. In most countries with data available on rape, less than 40% of women who experience sexual violence seek help. Less than 10% seek assistance from law enforcement.

  • Because many women who experience sexual violence seldom report or come forward about their incidences, exact rape numbers are challenging to report. While many countries have laws against the act of sexual assault and violence, many of them are insufficient, inconsistent, and not systematically enforced.

  • While people mostly hear about rape and sexual assault against women, men around the world also experience sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape every day.

  • The United States has a rape rate of 27.3. As in many other countries, rape is grossly underreported in the United States due to victim shaming, fear of reprisal, fear of family knowing, cases not being taken seriously by law enforcement, and possible lack of prosecution for the perpetrator. Only 9% of rapists in the US get prosecuted, and only 3% of rapists will spend a day in prison. 97% of rapists in the United States will walk free.

 

43% of seniors feel lonely on a regular basis

 

61% of Americans are lonely in 2019. In 2018, that number was 54%.

 

52% sometimes or always feel alone in 2019. In 2018, that number was 46%.

 

47% sometimes or always feel that their relationships are not meaningful in 2019. In 2018, that number was 43%.

 

21% have no close friends

 

58% sometimes or always feel like no one knows them well in 2019. In 2018, that number was 54%.

 

49% sometimes or always feel as though they lack companionship in 2019. In 2018, that number was 43%.

 

53% say it’s difficult to make friends because they are shy.

 

10.1% of Americans report not having friends or relatives they can count on. The same number for the UK is 6.8%, Denmark 4.7%, Iceland 1.7%. Some countries that are more affected: Israel 13.4% Greece 17.7%. Mexico 19.9%

 

22% of Americans often or always feel lonely. The same number for the UK is 23% and Japan 9%.

 

34% percent of millennials always or often feel more lonely because of the coronavirus situation14 (SocialPro, April 24, 2020)

 

27% percent of Gen Z always or often feel more lonely because of the coronavirus situation14 (SocialPro, April 24, 2020)

 

22% percent of Gen X always or often feel more lonely because of the coronavirus situation14 (SocialPro, April 24, 2020)

 

20% percent of Baby boomers always or often feel more lonely because of the coronavirus situation

 

Gen Z is the loneliest age group

65% Sometimes or always feel lonely.

69% feel shy

19% have no close friends.

87% say it’s difficult to make new friends because they are shy.

 

32% of men and 23% of women feel abandoned by coworkers when under pressure.

35% feel a general sense of emptiness at work.

39% feel like they have to hide their true self at work.

Lonely workers say they are less engaged, less productive, and report lower retention rates.

54% of remote workers feel that their relationships with others are not meaningful. 

45% of office-workers feel this way.

57% of remote workers say they always or sometimes feel lonely. 52% of office-workers feel this way.

 

1 in 5 people in the U.S. have a sexually-transmitted infection. This number increases every year.

 

7% of 17 year olds in the UK have attempted suicide and a quarter have self harmed in the past year.

 

The percentage of young people aged 5-15 with depression or anxiety increased from 3.9% in 2004 to 5.8% in 2017 

  • In 2015, female suicide rates increased in England to their highest levels since 2005 

 

Billions projected to suffer nearly unlivable heat in 2070 

 

‘Unprecedented’ Species Extinction Rates ‘Accelerating’

 

Billions could go hungry from global warming by 2100

 

Climate change may doom 1 in 3 species of plants and animals in the next 50 years

 

The portion of Americans 18 to 29 reporting no sex in the past year more than doubled between 2008 and 2018, to 23 percent.

  • The data also show a significant gender divide among 20-somethings.

  • This reflects growing social isolation among younger people.

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US millionaire CEOs saw 29% pay raise while workers’ saw a 2% decrease as companies gave leaders bonuses and forgiving performance benchmarks amid the coronavirus pandemic

 

Study finds alarming levels of ‘forever chemicals’ in US mothers’ breast

 

Plastic and toxic chemical induced ocean acidification will cause a plankton crisis that will devastate humanity over the next 25 Years

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Babies have 15 times more microplastics in their bodies than adults, a new pilot study has found.

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73 percent of Generation Z sometimes or always feel alone.


A 2015 American Psychological Association study reveals that loneliness and social isolation increase the chances of premature death by up to 50 percent.


The 2020 Cigna study reveals that half of the young people who rarely have real-life interactions are in fair to poor overall health.


Loneliness leads to mental health challenges, like depression and anxiety.


According to a 2019 study by the CDC, the suicide rate for Generation Z increased by more than 50 percent between 2007 and 2017.


Health Resources and Services Administration researchers say that loneliness and social isolation are as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

 

Since the early 1990s, thyroid cancer incidence rates have increased by more than two-and-a-half times (175%) in the UK. Rates in females have almost tripled (184%), and rates in males have increased by more than two-and-a-half times (173%) (2016-2018).


Over the last decade, thyroid cancer incidence rates have increased by around two-thirds (65%) in the UK. Rates in females have increased by around two-thirds (65%), and rates in males have increased by more than two-thirds (68%) (2016-2018).


Incidence rates for thyroid cancer are projected to rise by 74% in the UK between 2014 and 2035, to 11 cases per 100,000 people by 2035.

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Approximately 39.5% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes (based on 2015–2017 data).

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Even if your child doesn't have a mental illness or substance abuse problem, they can still suffer in other ways, such as stress, worry, frustration, etc. and that's not even including diseases, disabilities, chronic pain, accidents, and the many other things that can cause suffering besides those mentioned. Even if you think these are all acceptable risks, your child(ren) might not. Why are you making that decision for them if they are the ones facing the consequences? Would it be ethical if I pushed a button that had a high chance of winning the lottery but a low chance of killing you?

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