Discussion of raising the First Children on Mars or elsewhere in Space

First Families in Space

Bruce Mackenzie BMackenzie@alum.mit.edu (781)944-7027

(Bruce Mackenzie, slide_families_overview_00_1, Copyright (C) 2000-7)

Discussion of raising the First Children on Mars or elsewhere in Space

Topics:

Why?Why Not?

Support needed: Physical, supplies, robotic, remote support

Family Model: Nuclear family, extended family, other Minimum number of adults and children

Equiment, supplies, cost?When ?

Ethics: Unsafe? When? Effect on the Children, parents, society, Earth

Reasons FOR Children on Mars Human Nature / Destiny

Emphasize Permanence of SettlementDemonstrate partial self-sufficiencyLife-Boat for Humanity

Benefit to adults: - Parent / GrandParent / Teacher role, - Recruiting & keeping crew, - Love, Purpose in life

Interest to children & adults on Earth

Safer & Lower Cost than interplanetary transportation

Finance by Wealthy Parents / Surrogate Parents

Children may adapt better to Mars conditions, 3/8 g

Accidental Conception (kids happen)

Deliberate, Unauthorized Pregnancy

Interesting Topic of Discussion at this meeting

Reasons to NOT have Kids on Mars

Parent’s Time

Expense: - Equipment & Supplies from Earth - Mars Materials: food, air, water ... - Earth-side support (teachers)

Safety, bad press if accident

Possible Medical Problems - Adapting from 3/8 to 1 g - Radiation

Rebellious teenager who knows how to open the airlock?

Little Choice for Child - Uncertainty of Children's Interests & Abilities

Independence of second-generation - why should Earth support base.

Family Models What are good family models for a first Mars base?

Nuclear Family (nuclear powered?) - two parents, single family house (unlikely)

Extended Family - imagine 12 adult researchers, half are parents, others act as 'aunts' & 'uncles', jointly raising 8 children.

Tribe or Village

Single adults

Unbalanced Gender ratio

Group Marriages - impact on support by religions & governments

Surrogate Parents / “Uncles & Aunts”

Expect older children to help - growing food, household work, and raising younger siblings

"Grandparents" raise childrens - those who have difficulty with outdoor exploration, due to age or injury(Bruce Mackenzie, slide_families_models_00_1, Copyright (C) 2000-7) .

Equipment & Supplies for Children Extra of everything: - Air, Water, Food, - Habitat Space, Play space

Processed food / baby food

Pressure suits, Clothing, sizes

Medical EquipmentEducation supplies

PetsToys

Extra Radiation protection - for both growing children and fertile adults

Safety equipment - "child-proof airlocks", etc(Bruce Mackenzie, slide_families_supplies_00_1, Copyright (C) 2000-7) .

EthicsEthical to raise children in a Harsh / New environment?

Yes - Long history of parents making decisions for children, including immigration.

Danger:Harvests fail?Habitats fail?Shipments from Earth might not arrive? Pressure suits fail?Radiation?

Media attention on children if base is doomed.

Media attention affect children's personalities?

Free Passage to Earth ?

May not be able to adjust to Earth at 1 gee.

Will they be happy to be born & raised in Space? (Bruce Mackenzie, slide_families_ethics_00_1, Copyright (C) 2000-7)

First Families in Space

Bruce Mackenzie BMackenzie@alum.mit.edu (781)944-7027

(Bruce Mackenzie, slide_families_overview_00_1, Copyright (C) 2000-7)

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(go back)

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• Because it’s going to happen – weather we plan for it or not!

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