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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.

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

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TheElderNom
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8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder what percentage is hoping for positive vs. negative results.

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Alex Luiz
Community Member
8 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh,there was a really good reddit discussion of this. Apparently if you are trying for a kid you will buy loads of tests because you're tracking for a result. Whereas if you don't want to be pregnant,chances are you just get the odd test after a contraception failure to make sure the morning after pill worked. Essentially. Therefore the target customer is someone who wants a positive result.

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

There is one! For Clearblue. The woman is all "Maybe one day, but not now!" and then is happy it's negative. I was very excited to see it.

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

A few days ago on youtube there was a pregnancy test commercial and for the first time I have ever seen the woman got a negative result and celebrated it. I'm hoping to see it again soon because it was such a great moment for me.

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

It took them decades to stop using blue fluid in menstrual ads...

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

They do! There's a Clear Blue commercial in Germany that shows both.

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I just work here
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those are the pregnancy test ads anymore. Saw one the other day, it was a mix of Thank God I'm pregnant, vs. Thank God I'm not pregnant.

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

I can't recall what brand it is, but I've seen one commercial that shows both.

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

The one in Canada has one that celebrates not being pregnant she's going on how she's not ready for this right now and I hope to goodness that I'm not and I came back negative and how happy she was for that result it's nice to know that they do in fact have those commercials now

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

Normalize people engaging in an activity and happy when nothing comes of it…ever.

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

There was one ad recently that showed the women (plural) celebrating the result, but the viewer couldn't see what the test showed.

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

I've been on both sides of those results. Many times more on the "Please be negative!" side.

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

Not every woman the test to come out with a positive result. I think these kinds of commercials normalize the fact that not all women want to be human incubators, and that that is OK

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lol.litl.owl
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have actually seen a commercial showing negative results and she's happy about it

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

Celebrated both negatives and all three positives. Mourned the positive that didn’t happen. This is not an either or.

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

Very good point. Still creates ads for the product, but shows the relief when it's negative. I like it! Pro-Choice

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morbid macabre memento mori
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw one like this the other day! There were two women on the commercial: one was happy the test was negative, and one was hoping for a positive test and got one and was happy about that too. It was a nice commercial

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

I actually saw this here in Sweden the other day! Well, it was a woman hoping not to be pregnant

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

Totally agree but since streaming I haven’t seen a commercial for one in ages and relatively few commercials in general. They should show a couple or single woman scared then relieved by the results. I imagine this is the most the responses people have when taking these tests.

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

Those commercials have gotten much more realistic lately.

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

I did see a pregnancy test commercial with one woman relieved it was negative and I was blown away and super impressed 😁

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

We have one where you see both ... happy about negative and happy about positive results.

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

I've actually seen such a commercial, on was happy about a positive one and one was happy about a negative one.

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

Don't want babies get sterilized then you won't have to take preg tests.

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

It is so sad to normalize the connection of children with money, or "self-interest", as if any of those promoting and accepting this knows what their "interest" is. Sad and decadent; thank God it comes from America and it will stay there!

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Black Rabbit
Community Member
8 months ago

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Nobody thinks of women as baby incubators and you’re a fûcking idiot if you actually think they do.

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Jared Robinson
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8 months ago

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Prove to me that this is normal. Because I have never once experienced a woman that was not happy about being pregnant. And i've known dozens.

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

You've known dozens of happily pregnant women, yet there are billions in the world, many of which were not happy to see that positive test. Just because you haven't personally met them, doesn't mean they don't exist.

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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
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8 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
8 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

reddit.com Report

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Lakota Wolf
Community Member
8 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

reddit.com Report

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

reddit.com Report

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Ivo H
Community Member
8 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

grrlindz Report

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Lakota Wolf
Community Member
8 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

Headphone_Jill Report

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Spanish Cat
Community Member
8 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
8 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
8 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
8 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
8 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

hellolanemoore Report

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Eva Kašu
Community Member
8 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
8 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
8 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.