Consent is one of the most debated topics right now. There's not a day that goes by without the someone on the internet offering their opinion on what constitutes as consent, especially when there's no affirmative "yes" or "no."
Just last week, a mom appeared on the British daytime talk show This Morning to discuss the topics, and how it applies to parenting.
Lottie Daley divided the internet when she claimed that parents should ask their children permission before changing their diapers, washing them, or tickling them. She argued that when you teach them consent from birth, it gets them into the habit of knowing that their body is their own and no one should touch them without asking.
If you thought asking a baby who can't talk for permission is ridiculous, wait until you hear about the man who wished his parents consulted with him first before they decided to conceive him.
27-year-old Raphael Samuel understands (honestly, we're not so sure he does) that his parents had no way of asking him for permission and that he was not in a position to give it. However, he still thinks that they've wronged him by bringing him into this world so he plans to sue them.
Samuel, who goes by the name 'Nihilanand' is an anti-natalist. The growing movement's followers hold the philosophical belief that procreating is morally wrong and the world would be less miserable if people stopped having children.
Samuel shared a post on Facebook, revealing how he feels about living in this world and why everything negative that has happened to him so far can be blamed on his "narcissistic" parents.
He admits that he does love his mother and father and that they "have a great relationship, but they had me for their joy and pleasure."
"Isn't forcing a child into this world and then forcing it to have a career kidnapping and slavery?" he asked.
If Samuel was looking for support from the Facebook community when he shared his thoughts so candidly, then he definitely set himself up for disappointment.
While there were a few people on his side, many others were quick to criticize his views, calling him out for being a "moron" and ungrateful to his parents.
Samuel was able to quickly defend himself amidst the backlash, explaining that his "parents are extremely proud" of him for being able to think independently. Even though he vowed "to demolish the case in court," he says there is no "animosity" between him and his parents.
Samuel's mother, Kavita Karnard, has since responded to his son's plans for a legal battle.
"I must admire my son's temerity to want to take his parents to court knowing both of us are lawyers. If Raphael could come up with a rational explanation as to how we could have sought his consent to be born, I will accept my fault," she said, according to a post shared by Samuel.
Karnard also backed up her son's earlier claim that his parents admire the way we thinks outside of the box.
"The media has focused on a sliver of what Raphael believes in. His belief in anti-natalism, his concern for the burden on Earth's resources due to needless life, his sensitivity toward the pain experienced unwittingly by children while growing up and so much more has been ruefully forgotten. I'm very happy that my son has grown up into a fearless, independent thinking young man. He is sure to find his path to happiness."
At this time, it's unclear when Samuel plans to file the lawsuit but we're sure to hear about it as soon as it happens.
