ADVERTISEMENT

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

#3

childfreememes Report

Add photo comments
POST
linemariethorsen avatar
Cosmetica Solist
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How about: allow more animals and less unfit parents who are neglecting to take care of their children in public, making the children subject to exclusion from social settings, annoyance and hate, when no one taught them better.

susanjohnsen avatar
Cerridwn d'Wyse
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are there places that kids should not be allowed, absolutely! However please no more places that allow dogs. It makes many people very uncomfortable and there are allergic people and the more places that allow them the less comfortable a lot of people are. Keep the babies at home whether they're human or at fur

violetjensen avatar
Violet Jensen
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep! I’m allergic to dogs AND one mauled my aunt when it was brought somewhere it shouldn’t be

Load More Replies...
boredpandasucks_3 avatar
Steve
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Any yet we have to pay extra for our rent for pets but not kids. Who causes more damage?

violetjensen avatar
Violet Jensen
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m allergic to dogs and kids are people, yall. Im never gonna have kids and I don’t want them but my god, not everyone can be around your dogs (a dog brought somewhere it shouldn’t be mauled my aunt, too) and kids are people

e-herovoltic avatar
Cin
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work in retail, dogs are far better customer than some kids and some adults. (They’ve never thrown a tantrum)

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

Oh, I wish this was a thing. And honestly, I don't hate kids in public place. I hate the parents who raised them to be rabid badgers with no discipline or consequences. My folks took me places as a kid and I knew to be behaved or there'd be hell to pay. Parents don't raise their kids like that anymore. They raise them to think the world is their playground and everyone around them is a NPC in their world and don't matter.

imamanimal avatar
Ima Manimal
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep. Nothing worse that someone’s crotch goblins running around a restaurant causing mayhem while you’re trying to have a nice dinner out.

derkommissar avatar
Der Kommissar
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In France, dogs are allowed in restaurants. I took a taxi in Paris and the pup was in the front passenger seat

tahadata avatar
Lara Verne
Community Member
9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I recently visited cat cafe and one family with kids had to leave, because kids were treating cats badly and one of cats scratched them.

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

There is 0 reason you should be taking you baby to places like the movie or theme park. They wont remember or enjoy it anyway n it just ruins your own fun n others fun🤷‍♀️

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

An untrained dog is just as annoying and obnoxious as an untrained kid. If you haven't taken the time to socialize them, don't bring them out into public.

susan_45 avatar
Susan Bosse
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I coined the phrase "Not restaurant age appropriate" when my son was 2-7ish for actual sit down places. They do not have the attention span. It's UNFAIR to the child, the other diners, the servers, and the parents who ACTUALLY try to reign their kids in at these places. Either go fast food or order for pick up. Don't ruin everyone's meal. Just don't.

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

A balance between ‘children should be seen and not heard era’ and ‘my progeny shall run among amok because I am a s****y self entitled inconsiderate asshat,’ would be ideal but who am I ‘kidding?’ I prefer my dogs over your poorly behaved children!

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

I think people who own pets should be required to have them trained to be in public so if they want to take them out, there is an expectation that they will behave and not endanger or scare people. Similarly, parents need to raise their kids better.

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

Most places demand animal taxes or require intensive courses to prove you're capable of caring for your pet. Why is there no such thing for children?

mariah_gabrich avatar
Belladonna.dreams
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's already becoming that more and more. Places are less kid friendly

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

If you're old enough to remember "smoking" and "non-smoking" sections in restaurants - like that, but for young kids.

judlaskowski avatar
Jude Laskowski
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And stop this hideous practice of charging pet rent for apartments! There's no kid rent.

jules_11 avatar
Jules
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nature's best contraceptive is other people's kids

dutchyswife58 avatar
Dawn K
Community Member
8 months ago

This comment has been deleted.

jamesblair_1 avatar
James Blair
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dogs behave better than our children.. I think I see the problem 🤔

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

That’s nasty really. So what if you have a baby you should be outcasted? How the children will learn to be a part of society? Many places license places for the babies up to 7pm already which is very reasonable. Also you were the baby once too. Would you like to be treated like that?

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

dogs are usually more behaved than ........... lets stick with Children

samrice avatar
Danse Macabre Cat
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Untrained dogs can be just as annoying as kids, but I respect the post

ps101pcd avatar
PSimms
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do dog owners think everyone wants dogs in restaurants? I sure as hell don't.

j23blondie avatar
Blondie23
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

look I have kids (well they are teenagers now) and even I can't stand kids under the age of about 10. Mostly because the parents aren't parenting.... when my kids were young and we would be out they had to act right or they would be in trouble. I refused to let my kids be hooligans

sbarber999 avatar
John Harrison
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes to the less kids, no to more dogs. You can say that you're going to make sure that your pet behaves, but if it takes a dump in the middle of the restaurant, we all KNOW it's the staff that's going to clean it up. Ask me how I know.

blazerfury420 avatar
RavenTheCat
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Im totally okay with pets in places but for the love of all that is decent please, please! Make sure they're properly trained

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

I perfer dogs over children, but as a restaurant employee it really is irritating when you bring your dog in. If they're a service animal sure, but if your pup is in a purse, please stop bringing them in. Some people are allergic

kreed avatar
K Reed
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't want to be around people's badly behaved dogs any more than I want to be around people's badly behaved children.

kellyflynn_1 avatar
usernamenotfound
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my kid was a toddler, when we were in public...eating, shopping, she got no warnings. She acted up...we went home. And we told her exactly why we were going home. We didn't yell or guilt trip...just explained. Then the next time we went out, we would ask her what happens if she acts up...she would say that we go home. It took maybe 4 or 5 times...bc she loved going out. If we were eating, didn't matter. Food was packed up, we paid and left. Bc screaming kids in a restaurant is horrible!!😄

clairebailey avatar
Claire Bailey
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Either are welcome as long as well behaved in my book. A disruptive dog is no better than a disruptive child.

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

A big yep! This person needs to be president/prime minister.

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

I have mixed feelings on this one. It depends on how well they are trained, children and dogs. Their parents or owners can let them run crazy and they can be equally annoying.

missir2u avatar
Winnie the Moo
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nope. Dogs and kids need to be brought up well. Then we can all enjoy public places and even our own neighbourhoods.

celestehall_1 avatar
celeste hall
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

children are fun to watch as long as they are as well behaved as good dog.

maxthefox2 avatar
Max Fox
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry, but while dogs are cute and all, kids don't pee on the floor and hump strangers' legs... Also, nobody is deathly allergic to kids, despite what Debbie claims.

morachilis avatar
Mora Chilis
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No. don't want an untrained, ungroomed, emotional support pet running around public places. Of anything the hygiene issue is a nightmare. Sorry, it is out of control.

giovannat1979 avatar
Magazine
Community Member
9 months ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Children under 8 are not the problem. Teenagers are the problem.

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

Have you ever been around an undisciplined 3-year-old? Or an unrestrained 5-year-old? They can do FAR more literal damage in 30 seconds than teenagers can do in 30 minutes.

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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."

ADVERTISEMENT
#4

ulxma Report

Add photo comments
POST
michael_braisher_1 avatar
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!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
lil-lauzie-10 avatar
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

View more commentsArrow down menu
#9

Italy vs. The Wiggles

Italy vs. The Wiggles

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
lakotasilverthree avatar
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?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

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

Add photo comments
POST
ivoh avatar
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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.

ADVERTISEMENT
#17

So Good

So Good

grrlindz Report

Add photo comments
POST
lakotasilverthree avatar
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?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

Turn Abouts Fair Play

Turn Abouts Fair Play

Headphone_Jill Report

Add photo comments
POST
eyectester avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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

Add photo comments
POST
cali-tabby-katz avatar
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.)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

childfreememes Report

Add photo comments
POST
cali-tabby-katz avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#26

childfreememes Report

Add photo comments
POST
naya42499 avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

childfreememes Report

Add photo comments
POST
isaacharvey81 avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#34

Oh God

Oh God

hellolanemoore Report

Add photo comments
POST
evakasu avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

Witty Title Here =)

Witty Title Here =)

Eden_Eats Report

#36

That’s Just Volume 1

That’s Just Volume 1

nokidsforme Report

Add photo comments
POST
isaacharvey81 avatar
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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

Accurate

Accurate

Affectionate-Age-597 Report

Add photo comments
POST
cali-tabby-katz avatar
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

childfreememes Report

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