In a bizarre yet thought-provoking turn of events, a 27-year-old man from Mumbai, India, has announced plans to sue his parents — not over inheritance or abuse, but simply for the act of bringing him into existence.
Raphael Samuel, a businessman and self-proclaimed anti-natalist, made headlines when he publicly declared his belief that it is unethical for parents to have children without their consent. Speaking to media, Samuel argued that life brings unavoidable suffering and that no one should be forced into it unwillingly — especially by those who claim to love them.
Anti-Natalism: The Unconventional Belief Behind His Claims
Samuel’s stance is grounded in anti-natalism, a philosophical view that sees human procreation as inherently immoral. The belief rests on the premise that life is full of pain and struggle, and that bringing another person into existence without their permission is an unfair imposition.
According to Samuel, he began grappling with this concept as early as five years old. A simple question — “Why did you have me?” — posed to his parents when he was reluctant to go to school, planted the seed of a lifelong ideology.
“I was a normal kid, but I couldn’t understand why I was being forced into routines and responsibilities I never agreed to,” he explained.
Despite the confrontational nature of his stance, Samuel maintains a cordial relationship with his parents, both of whom are lawyers. In fact, his mother, Kavita Karnad Samuel, responded with humour and grace, saying, “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.”
Parents React with Wit — But Son Remains Firm
While many expected hostility, the family dynamic appears to be surprisingly resilient. Samuel said he broke the news over breakfast, telling his mother he intended to sue her. Her response? “That’s fine, but don’t expect me to go easy on you. I will destroy you in court.”
Even as he acknowledges that the courts are unlikely to take his case seriously, Samuel insists he wants to make a broader point — that not having children is a valid and ethical choice, especially in a world facing environmental degradation and mental health crises.
His Facebook page, Nihilanand, shares anti-natalist memes and provocative posts challenging societal norms. One reads, “Your parents had you instead of a toy or a dog, you owe them nothing.” Another compares parenting to kidnapping and slavery, for “forcing” a child into existence and then imposing a life path upon them.
Mixed Reactions: Public Outrage and Quiet Support
Unsurprisingly, Samuel’s crusade has sparked a spectrum of reactions. While some critics call him ungrateful or attention-seeking, others secretly express support. Some of the most hostile responses have come in the form of online abuse, with people suggesting he end his life if he truly regrets being born — something Samuel condemns as missing the point entirely.
“I’m not unhappy,” he clarified. “My life is good. But I would still rather not have been born. Like a beautiful room I didn’t ask to enter.”
Raising Ethical Questions in a Changing World
Samuel’s story, though unusual, raises serious ethical questions: Is it selfish to have children in a world burdened by climate change, overpopulation, and inequality? Should consent to life even be a topic of philosophical discourse?
For now, the legal system may not entertain his claim, but his case has succeeded in reigniting conversations around personal autonomy, societal expectations, and the unseen costs of human existence.
Whether one agrees or not, Raphael Samuel has forced the world to confront a fundamental — and uncomfortable — question: Do children owe their parents anything for giving them life?