Why do you/don't you want children?

[Toffee Cuntwaffle]

First off, lets not turn this into an abortion argument, kay? There's so many threads you can do that in. I mean, abortion may come up, but try not to derail my thread please.

So, I'm childfree. That means that I don't have children either biological or adopted, and I don't want any either. Some people's definition of childfree varies - for example, some believe that it still 'counts' as childfreedom if you donate sperm or eggs, or if you give birth to a child but give it up for adoption. I, personally, do not.

As a childfree person I often encounter people, especially women, who are surprised at my life choice. Many ask me "why don't you want children?" yet I rarely hear this question asked of women who have chosen to have children. I am aware that society needs a younger generation to carry it on, and to do the work when we are all old, but the Earth is overpopulated as a whole and, well, I highly doubt the majority of parents breed out of a sense of social responsibility. So why is having children seen as the obvious choice? Why is it never really questioned?

So, let's hear your reasons, childfree and parents/future parents alike. What influenced your decision, and how willing to compromise it would you be? And, most importantly, why?

Myself, I do not get on well with children. I do not necessarily dislike them, but I do not communicate with them easily and I feel uncomfortable if I am around them for a long time. I have a lot of strong beliefs that I feel would make me a biased and intolerant parent. I enjoy my personal freedom too much to inhibit myself, and, the big one I could NEVER get passed - I am terrified and repulsed by pregnancy and childbirth. The one time I thought I was pregnant I felt unclean and violated, I was so relieved to find out I wasn't. Extreme? Maybe. Maybe even unhealthy. All the more reason for me not to breed.

Go.

[EyesSetToKill]

I want children for the experience and to see how I can really teach my own.... In life time I might like 3....

I wouldn't want a child unless I am fully sure that me and my (Wife) are truley in love and could never break up....... I'm really paranoid of this so I don't know if I would ever be that sure to be ready to bring another life into it..

[Tobias of London]

Botox Panda

First off, lets not turn this into an abortion argument, kay? There's so many threads you can do that in. I mean, abortion may come up, but try not to derail my thread please.

So, I'm childfree. That means that I don't have children either biological or adopted, and I don't want any either. Some people's definition of childfree varies - for example, some believe that it still 'counts' as childfreedom if you donate sperm or eggs, or if you give birth to a child but give it up for adoption. I, personally, do not.

As a childfree person I often encounter people, especially women, who are surprised at my life choice. Many ask me "why don't you want children?" yet I rarely hear this question asked of women who have chosen to have children. I am aware that society needs a younger generation to carry it on, and to do the work when we are all old, but the Earth is overpopulated as a whole and, well, I highly doubt the majority of parents breed out of a sense of social responsibility. So why is having children seen as the obvious choice? Why is it never really questioned?

So, let's hear your reasons, childfree and parents/future parents alike. What influenced your decision, and how willing to compromise it would you be? And, most importantly, why?

Myself, I do not get on well with children. I do not necessarily dislike them, but I do not communicate with them easily and I feel uncomfortable if I am around them for a long time. I have a lot of strong beliefs that I feel would make me a biased and intolerant parent. I enjoy my personal freedom too much to inhibit myself, and, the big one I could NEVER get passed - I am terrified and repulsed by pregnancy and childbirth. The one time I thought I was pregnant I felt unclean and violated, I was so relieved to find out I wasn't. Extreme? Maybe. Maybe even unhealthy. All the more reason for me not to breed.

Go.

tl;dr

i dont want to have kids because i dont want to have sex

[Pandageddon]

Who am I to bring another child into the world when there are so many dying in the streets from lack of nutrition and without a parent or guardian to keep them safe?

[Toffee Cuntwaffle]

Tobias of London

tl;dr

i dont want to have kids because i dont want to have sex

Damn I hope you were being sarcastic. Because this is ED, E standing for extended. If you don't want to read, go to the chatterbox.

Fair reason though.

[Toffee Cuntwaffle]

EyesSetToKill

I want children for the experience and to see how I can really teach my own.... In life time I might like 3....

I wouldn't want a child unless I am fully sure that me and my (Wife) are truley in love and could never break up....... I'm really paranoid of this so I don't know if I would ever be that sure to be ready to bring another life into it..

Truly in love =/= never gonna break up. Things happen. Nothing in life is certain.

[LtTech_Tom]

I want children to continue my family blood line of warriors, to teach them everything I've seen, to give them more understanding of the world, to show them the simple pleasures of life. I wish to give them what they need to succeed with their dreams; and stress that it is more important to give then take; help make the world a better place, but remain strict and be ready to give you life to protect the ones you love and innocent.

[Kagami8]

I also am horrified by pregnancy/childbirth.

Granted, I don't really have to think about it at my age, and my opinions may change in the future - for now, though, I'm sticking to the belief that parents are humans who have gone off the deep end.

[Heartfout]

I don't want to have kids because I refuse to burden them and the world with my eccentricies any longer than strictly required.

That, and I'm asexual, so the number one method of reproduction doesn't apply to me.

[Toffee Cuntwaffle]

LtTech_Tom

I want children to continue my family blood line of warriors, to teach them everything I've seen, to give them more understanding of the world, to show them the simple pleasures of life. I wish to give them what they need to succeed with their dreams; and stress that it is more important to give then take; help make the world a better place, but remain strict and be ready to give you life to protect the ones you love and innocent.

I don't want to seem like I'm attacking this, these are good, solid reasons. But, how would you feel if your child or children rejected all these ideals. I mean, we've probably all been there - metaphorically spat in our parents faces and done things our own way. Would you still love/be proud of them if they did not see the world as you do?

[EyesSetToKill]

Botox Panda

EyesSetToKill

I want children for the experience and to see how I can really teach my own.... In life time I might like 3....

I wouldn't want a child unless I am fully sure that me and my (Wife) are truley in love and could never break up....... I'm really paranoid of this so I don't know if I would ever be that sure to be ready to bring another life into it..

Truly in love =/= never gonna break up. Things happen. Nothing in life is certain.

Yeah, I know this.... Thats why I probably wont have any..... I don't want my kids to turn out like me....

[Hanawie]

I don't think I want kids, especially not without adoption.
Sure, kids are fun, but it's a huge responsibility and time I don't want to waste.
I support those who decide to have kids, but it's just not for me...

[Nocturne_Shadow_Mage]

I don't want children because I'm a sort of detached, not very caring type of person. I have little to no patience for teaching, and there are too many things I want to do that I wouldn't be able to if I had to watch out for some anklebiters. For example, I want to be a stage or voice actor, and uncertainty and lack of stability are inherent to the field.



((...when did five short paragraphs become "too long; didn't read" in Extended Discussion?))

[Heartfout]

Nocturne_Shadow_Mage

I don't want children because I'm a sort of detached, not very caring type of person. I have little to no patience for teaching, and there are too many things I want to do that I wouldn't be able to if I had to watch out for some anklebiters. For example, I want to be a stage or voice actor, and uncertainty and lack of stability are inherent to the field.



((...when did five short paragraphs become "too long; didn't read" in Extended Discussion?))

Since Tobias of London is a troll?

[Steamcog]

None for me, thanks. Too much effort, time, money etc. and it would limit my freedom and add more responsibility. I like taking life as lightheartedly as I do, I couldn't in good conscience do that if I had a kid.