There's a pervasive trope in society that "children will change you." I think it's unhealthy - it cloaks "parenthood" in this gnostic veil of mystery and suggests that only those with kids have truly achieved enlightenment. It's bullshit, through and through.
While I don't think there is any veil of mystery surrounding being or becoming a parent it certainly does change people in my experience. It changed me.…and I'm still expecting to fuck this up royally somehow.
Same here, Its all about the level of fuck up though. As Chris Rock says:
"I mean they don’t grade fathers but if your daughter is a stripper you fucked up."
I agree. It definitely enlightens you in certain areas. So do other things in life, of course, not just parenthood. But I think it's fair to say that only those with kids - and perhaps also those that care for kids - achieve enlightenment in specific related areas. I think it's disingenuous to assert that such a massive, life-changing experience as parenthood wouldn't change you.While I don't think there is any veil of mystery surrounding being or becoming a parent it certainly does change people in my experience. It changed me.