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Fifty years ago, things were different, people would get married and have children in their twenties, buy a house and seemingly have their life figured out. But times have changed. Today, with an overcrowded planet and a focus on careers, many people in the West choose not to have children or they delay starting a family. More than 1 in 5 US adults don't want kids.

If your phone's photo collection is brimming with images of puppies and cats rather than snapshots of little humans, this post will likely strike a chord with you. The subreddit 'Child-Free Memes' and the Instagram page 'Child Free Memes' are all about the pleasures of a life untouched by diapers and tantrums.

So kick back, grab yourself a cup of coffee, and enjoy our new curated selection from these pages. As Samantha from 'Sex and the City' once said, this place is for double cappuccinos, not for double strollers.

#1

Thanos Was Right?

Thanos Was Right?

reddit.com Report

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Alex Luiz
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People hear 'control the population' and think 'oh no,he's advocating genocide'. Obviously he just means 'maybe stop at 2 kids,folks?'

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Michael Braisher
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Phew, got downvote-skewered there but help me out with why. They want a China-style child cap or they don't? Attenborough may never want such a thing, but it seems peculiar coming from the same political types who complain the UK government maintains a two-child welfare limit to each family.

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Carrie de Luka
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone should watch this one. All those who say we are not heading for problems due to over population need a wake up call.

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Mint Sauce
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Finally! A post that defines the absolute root cause of the climate crisis. Too many people say "Oh we can still feed and home everyone. What's the problem?", but at what population level do you realise enough is enough.

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Hayley Futter
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah I agree, just because more fairly redistributing resources would improve lives doesn't mean there aren't too many people AS WELL

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Id row
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was actually rooting for Thanos. He had a good point. We cannot sustain adding 80+ million people each year to the population. Our population is out of control and we're basically no different than locusts now.

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Jaya
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The world is overpopulated, and pretty much everyone in the West uses way more resources than the earth can offer per person. Purposely getting pregnant again when you already have multiple kids, is selfish. Make responsible choices. And if you'd enjoy having a large family, look into whether adopting is an option for you, there are so many kids that need a home.

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That Goth Demon (zey/zem)
Community Member
9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We need the hunger games, basically. (This is a joke there are better ways to control population increase)

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marianne eliza
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Businesses and governments only see more workers, more taxpayers, etc. Business plans are completely based on unending growth. No one is satisfied with having enough. And don't get me started on religions that encourage or demand large families and condemn any birth control other than abstinence.

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Emery Walters
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Zero Population Growth was about 50 years ago, but nobody listened.

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Deta Rossiter
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

he would actually be the one i would trust with the Infinity stones

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Chris Wilson
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

bollox to your thanos pokemon whatever.. attenborough is right at a molecular level.. stop having 20 kids just so you can overpopulate the planet with religious zealots.. intelligent people know this

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J B
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I see all the meth heads actively ruining neighborhoods, I side with Attenborough...

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Pyla
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YES!!! This _has_ to be our future if we are to have any hope. FUUck the billionaire/capitalist apologists.

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Cathy Carey
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's right. Don't see what this statement has to do with being childless.

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Riley Quinn
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As far as villains go, I didn't have a problem with Thanos because population control has been on my mind for decades.

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Jeffrey Diehl
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yah. Earth has about 4 - 5 billion people too many. But we will get there after the famines and wars for water and arable land.

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Crouching hippo hidden panda
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He ain’t wrong. I fear It’s too little too late. We’re not talking extermination, but why the hell are people still having 5+ kids in todays world?

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Altea
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The solution to overpopulation is the development of poor countries.

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Jane Cortez
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly. This isn’t funny. It’s hilarious that it is listed under ‘funny’ memes because this is precisely why humanity will destroy the earth and probably go extinct.

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Valek Fermiga
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I genuinely believe that this is the best suggestion I have EVER read ; Sir Davinos- we salute you sir!!

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Batwench
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ahh but when Thanos clicked, 50% of ALL life disappeared. This included wildlife etc.

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Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My!
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it's painless, and a totally awesome person takes my babies, I'll go. I'm sure I'd be allowed to watch season three of Good Omens when it comes out.

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Ben
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I laughed at work way too loud. Wasn't expecting that.

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Tee Rat
Community Member
9 months ago

The Georgia Guidestones (US), which were slabs of granite placed anonymously on a piece of land until someone decided to blow them up in 2022, had a list with 10 rules and number one was to keep world population under 500,000,000.

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Michael Braisher
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stalin, Pol Pot and Hitler looking up, annoyed, from Hell: 'Hey, dude!' But seriously, downvote away but WTF?? I've seen the occasional call to genocide on the Guardian comment page too. Other readers have bashed them and said blame the politicians and corporations, but is this where we're going??

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Solangelo4life!!!
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

…no, he’s just saying to have just 2 or less kids. Why did your mind jump to genocide?

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Black Rabbit
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hot take: I care more for the survival of rabbits and humans than the environment.

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Annnnd We’re Officially In Reverse
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You realize that for rabbits and humans to survive, first and foremost the environment must survive right?

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Solangelo4life!!!
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why not? It’s easy, doesn’t take too much effort, and will help maintain the population if we just encourage people to have less children

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Jennifer Clayton
Community Member
9 months ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

White guy from British Empire: "...control the population..."

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Mimi La Souris
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

elaborate thinking can come from anyone and anywhere. don't shoot the messenger

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Together, these pages have gathered a community of over 5k members who share a common viewpoint: life's purpose doesn't solely revolve around having children. In the past, waiting to have children was mostly seen among wealthier Americans, especially in big cities on the coasts. Educated women often postponed having babies until their careers were stable, usually in their early thirties. But in the last ten years, as more women from all backgrounds focus on education and work, delaying starting a family has become a common trend among women throughout the United States.

#2

TheRachelFisher Report

Since 2007, the number of women in their twenties having babies has gone down by 28 percent. Most of the decrease is among unmarried women. Only women in their thirties and forties have been having more babies, but even that has gone down in the last three years. Caitlin Myers, an economist at Middlebury College told 'The New York Times': "The story here is about young women, whose births are plummeting". She added that "the birthrate is falling fastest in places with the greatest job growth — where women have more incentive to wait."

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#4

ulxma Report

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Michael Braisher
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well that was the Old Testament from before Christianity and Jesus began with the New Testament. So you could say having a Son chilled God out and put him on a whole fresh way of doing things!

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#5

Shocker, But It Has To Be Said

Shocker, But It Has To Be Said

SpaceMyopia Report

Those who advocate against having babies even have a name for themselves: anti-natalists. Not only do they encourage families without children but also the gradual fading away of people. While it started long ago in ancient Greece, social media has recently made this idea much more popular. Even though there aren't many anti-natalists, some of their ideas, especially about the planet, are starting to become more popular. According to the BBC, "Among them are concerns about genetic inheritance, not wanting children to suffer, the concept of consent, and worries about overpopulation and the environment."

#8

childfreememes Report

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The Doom Song
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More people need to respect our decision to not have kids. Also mine are in all colours

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#9

Italy vs. The Wiggles

Italy vs. The Wiggles

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Lakota Wolf
Community Member
9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don’t we, you know, pity animals whose entire life is finding food and producing offspring? And don’t we spay them when we adopt them? And when we spay them, don’t we say, “this is wonderful, now she can relax and enjoy HER life, and play with toys and bask in the sun, and NOT have to spend her entire existence producing babies!” So why don’t we afford ourselves the same grace of opinion?

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Although anti-natalist groups may use pessimistic language, they don't appear to pose a violent risk. When discussing extinction, it's more of a discussion than an actual danger. Most people online don't talk about hurting anyone.

#10

Democracy

Democracy

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However, there's a catch. In less developed countries, large families with numerous children are often the norm. From cultural values to social fairness, there are various reasons why poor families might have many children, and these factors also lead to high birth rates in less wealthy countries. From cultural values to social fairness, let's look at some main reasons.

#14

They Are Irritating

They Are Irritating

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Ivo H
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be honest, adults without manners are far worse than any of these

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In places where children are regarded as blessings according to religious beliefs, having a bigger family is seen as a greater blessing. In many parts of the Global South, couples without children may experience social stigma. Impoverished families, particularly those relying on farming, may have more children to assist with their way of life, including taking care of older family members and younger siblings as they grow up.

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#17

So Good

So Good

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Lakota Wolf
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aren’t animals God’s children as well? Why are human children > animals in God’s eyes?

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#18

Turn Abouts Fair Play

Turn Abouts Fair Play

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Spanish Cat
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my family didn't really want a cat (we lived in a rented home, so it would be hard transporting it) a flea-ridden, but cute street cat entered our home. We sterilized him, de-flea'd him and he just stayed in our home.

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In the end, people's perspectives on having children and the size of their families can be quite complicated. It's affected by things like culture, money, and society, all which play a role in shaping how people decide about having children.

#19

childfreememes Report

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Lakota Wolf (she/her)
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom: "I wanted your sister to have a sibling." Gee, thanks, Mom. Didn't even actually want another kid because you wanted more children, but because you didn't want your biological daughter to be an only child. (I'm adopted.)

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#21

childfreememes Report

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Lakota Wolf (she/her)
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've held babies in my life, and they simultaneously feel WAY too heavy but also incredibly fragile and breakable. I will take holding a cat any day over holding a baby. They squirm less, smell less, and you can pet them without getting arrested.

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#26

childfreememes Report

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Naya Busch
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, no it’s not. For some people like myself, my animals ARE my children.

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#29

childfreememes Report

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Isaac Harvey
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In all fairness, carrying 4 large boxes of pizza with just one arm takes another level of skill.

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#34

Oh God

Oh God

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Eva Kašu
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah, that depression is just postponed...and one day will make that childrens lives a living hell.

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#35

Witty Title Here =)

Witty Title Here =)

Eden_Eats Report

#36

That’s Just Volume 1

That’s Just Volume 1

nokidsforme Report

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Isaac Harvey
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Food for thought: you're usually not expected to have a reason for having kids, but you usually are expected to have a reason for not having kids.

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#37

Accurate

Accurate

Affectionate-Age-597 Report

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Lakota Wolf (she/her)
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is me, but the other panels would also be me reacting the same joyously excited way to dogs, lizards, chickens, insects etc. XD

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#40

childfreememes Report

Note: this post originally had 88 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.