
50 Times Child-Free People Had Something Sassy To Say, And Posted It In This Online Group
More and more people these days are becoming childfree by choice, in turn celebrating time, freedom, and opportunities they have reserved for themselves. Meanwhile, economists have pointed to the fact that the fertility rate has fallen every year since 2007, as the Great Recession made millennials put off child-rearing for years.
But in order to get a glimpse of what childfree life is really like, you have to look at what people who opt out of having babies have to say about it. So we looked at the corner of Reddit “Childfree,” which is a place for discussion of the childfree lifestyle.
With a whopping 1.4M members, it surely has a lot to say on this matter, so let’s see some arguments on living with no kids right below. Also, after you’re done, be sure to check out part 1 of the post right here.
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What Could Be More Important Than Creating Life?
Family Is What You Make
I Love Steve Hofstetter. Walter Is His Dog
This has nothing to do with having kids or not, everything with education. I always remind my children to be careful in the presence of any kind of animals, never scare them, be respectful.
To find out what people who choose not to have kids have to say about the childfree lifestyle, Bored Panda reached out to Amy Blackstone, professor of sociology at the University of Maine and the author of “Childlfree by Choice: The Movement Redefining Family & Creating a New Age of Independence.”
When asked if such a lifestyle is getting more popular nowadays, which it certainly feels like it, Amy said that it’s certainly more popular “in the sense that more people are aware of it as an option than ever before.”
According to the professor and book author, “That is largely thanks to the willingness of childfree people to speak out about their choice and of course to the decades-long work of reproductive justice advocates. Whether more people than in the past will ultimately remain childfree for their lifetimes remains to be seen.”
Been Waiting 20 Years For A Comeback Like This
I Can’t Believe This Is Still Even A Thing
Pug Slide (Found On Facebook)
“Certainly more millennials are currently childfree than were previous generations at their age, but there hasn't been a dramatic increase in lifetime childlessness,” she said and added that only “time will tell whether today's millennials are opting out of parenthood altogether or simply delaying it.”
There's a common misconception that parenthood defines us unlike anything else. Amy said that there are “good reasons that this misconception is so common. Almost from the moment we are born, we are taught that becoming a parent is one of the most important milestones of adulthood. For this reason, it makes sense that folks might think that parenthood is the be all, end all experience.”
Since They're Trying To Ban Abortion...
I guess according to the pious in the US, the foetus is an important member of society who needs to be protected and cherished. Until they are born. Beyond that point, they're on their own and on their way to contributing into the coffers of the top 1%.
Child Fees Should Be A Thing And Dogs Should Be Free
For The Childfree Motorist
It's kinda ironic for me that in my experience, people with the "kids on board" stickers tend to drive like absolute muppets. I live near a school. These idiots stop suddenly and block traffic making passing a particular road really unpleasant.
Well they're underslept and turned backward trying to stop Jamie from whacking his sister too much. They're warnings not requests.
Load More Replies...This "children on board" sticker is to warn the rescue teams in case of accident, so they will wear proper devices and get a catch pole for the reluctant, aggressive children who may bite when frightened.
The child on board sign is useful in the case of a crash to warn first responders to check and look for small kids that aren't immediately visible.
That wasn’t the original purpose of the sign though, so yeah I want people to drive carefully around me too!
Load More Replies...I had to have someone explain this too, (non parent here) It's not for other drivers, so come the f down. It's for rescue workers.
Absolute nonsense. Do you even believe this yourself, that a rescue worker would look harder because of some faded 'baby on board' sticker, or decide not to look when it's absent?
Load More Replies...However, “we know from all kinds of social science research that having kids is not required for living a complete, happy, and fulfilling life,” the professor explained and recommended everyone looking for the answers to read her illuminating book “Childfree By Choice.”
Just A Nice Quote I Read And Felt Like Sharing
Letter From An 85 Year Widow: My Childfree Experience And A Few Humble Opinions
I Swear
It’s hard to say whether opting not to have kids will stay popular with future generations. According to Amy, “it depends on what we mean by 'popular' but if what you're referring to is whether the idea that having—or not having—children is a choice, I'd say that yes, our awareness of that reality will continue to grow.”
It’s just that more and more people are speaking out about their choice not to have kids. “And thanks to their bravery in speaking out, we now know that parenthood is simply one of many paths available to us,” she concluded.
Think I Pissed Off My Obgyn
It's ridiculous how women are denied agency over THEIR OWN DAMNED BODY and men can just do whatever they want. I mean, men can even walk away from their wife and child, not file for (joint) custody, and most people are like 'ah, divorce, too bad'. When a woman walks away from her husband and child and doesn't want custody, all hell breaks lose and she's painted like an evil villain.
I Wish More People Realized Just How Much A Bad Parent Can Mess Up Their Children
Welp. There It Is
Top Notch Product Review
Imagine That. Maybe One Day
Just One Simple Trick To Save Money
Saw This Meme And Thought You Guys Would Enjoy It, Too
Actress Jameela Jamil Celebrates Her Successful Cf Life, Shrugs Off Haters
CowboyHank, we understand and value your opinions. BUT! Abortion isn't murder. If it was, you could sue for it. If you believe abortion = bad, don't have one! simple as that! What you don't do is ruin a completely good post with your pro life bullshit. It's the same with others, don't ruin a good post with your pro- abortion bullshit. I am done with my angry Bored Panda rant!
The Double Standards Are Wild
I Think Someone Working In This Store Is Childfree
GF Wanted A Dog, I Didn’t. What Happens? We Got A Dog. Then GF Wants Kids, I Don’t
GREAT CHOICE! I'm happy to see a man who doesn't fall for the babytrap. Also happy he kept the dog, he's obviously the better choice.
Don't Do That
Goals
Louder For The People In The Back!
"Without Kids, Your Christmas Must Have Been So Boring"- My Sil
Truth Hurts
When Being Child Free Gets You Extra 40 Hours/Week Of Work
I don't get the 'you're salaried, so no compensation'. I'm salaried too (almost everyone is here), for 32 hours a week. If I need to work more than 32 hours, I get compensated for those extra hours. I mean, in what world does being salaried mean 'you are compensated for 40-168 hours a week'??
Wise Words
Is Anyone Else Thrilled To Not Have Kids Whenever They See/Hear One?
Wife Of 7 Years Left Because I Didn't Want Kids
He is definetly not the bad guy, his point of view was clear all the time
I Think We Can All Agree On This Post I Saw Today
I Got Pregnant After My Tubal Ligation And Doctors Are Treating It Like A Happy Miracle As I Sit Here Horrified
My Friend Sent This To Me [humor]
Happy Birthday
Everyone: 'Have A Baby!' Me:
This. Is. Imporant
yes! a lot of cultures (like mine) are under the impression that getting married when you're 18 is normal....and for some reason, a 20 year old getting divorced is also considered quite normal
They Got Me - Had To Slow Down For This One
Okay, but hear me out. I hit that kid because he hit my dog he had it coming. /s
I Have A Lot Of Reasons For Not Wanting Kids, And The World Being On Fire Is Definitely Among Them
I Will Never Ever Ever Get Tired Of Silence
I'm Going To Print Out A Stack Of These And Hand Them Out To People Who Bingo Me
I am pushing 43. Have known my husband for almost 20 years. Never had kids because we dont want to. People still tell me I might change my mind and it is not too late. You cant win. Our families and closest friends have always supported our decision though.
"What Could Be Better Than Having Kids Then?"
"Being A Young Woman Without Kids Is A Privilege." No, It's An Active Decision
Posted By A Friend With A Few Kids On Facebook
My Bloodline Ends With Me
I'm 53. My Wife Is 60. We've Always Been Staunchly Childfree. Can I Tell You... It Only Gets Better
Life Is Gooooood
Great View From Here
Note: this post originally had 74 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
I'm so happy to see that being childfree is finally becoming more normal and less of a taboo. Seeing more and more childfree stories on social media, news, sites like this and heard from famous people. It's good. People need to know there are choices. You don't have to have kids just because people act like it's normal.
Exactly. If you reeeeally want kids (and can afford them) then by all means, have them. But no one should be shamed for not wanting or having them.
Just imagine how far people would get in life if they had the ability to keep their projections in check and just let people live however they see fit. Why does it matter so much if people choose to remain single and child-free? Let people breathe and let them live, shesh
The reason why child free postings tend to be so passive aggressive is because these people are FED UP with being asked why the heck they don't want kids
Not wanting kids is cool. Don't have any, never will. I still celebrate mothers, though. And fathers. Tough, tough job
Having or not having kids is a personal choice. No one should judge you or ask you. And while someone can lead a very happy life with no kids, one can also do with kids. I would never ever change anything about my life and I have 3 wonderful children that are pure love and joy. I enjoy every second with them. And I also don't want to be made to feel guilty about it.
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If humans are fueling the climate change crisis, then out of control breeding is an issue. Humans are actively killing off entire species of innocent animals by the thousands (that is the worst possible thing I can think of). That's a problem; humanity is currently a huge problem. So bringing about more humans is a problem (unless you are living and coexisting in nature). Choosing to not have children to try to save humanity and other species is a morally correct decision. Choosing to bring another child into a horrible capitalist system is wrong unless they become a scientist or activist that works on stopping these catastrophic issues.
I'm really happy people like you choose not to procreate, Terd.
Random Panda, did I really say something that is incorrect? Polar bears: nearly extinct. Bees: getting wiped out. Orangutans: nearly gone. Coral problems. Gorillas: nearly gone. Rhinos: getting poached. Elephants are going bye bye. Whales are getting f-u-c-ked. The Amazon is getting destroyed along with thousands of species that we haven't even met yet. This is just the short list off of the top of my head. And what the f-u-c-k are you doing? Why is bringing more humans into the world a morally good choice when this ecological disaster is happening? Climate change may have a tipping point where we will never be able to reverse it. And your dumb answer seems to be bring more children into the world unchecked.
Me too. I'm happy that I choose not to procreate too. I just hope you are not procreating as well.
We enjoy going out for dinner a few times a month. My father-in-law once commented on this: "In our days, we didn't have the luxury of wasting all that money on eating out!" I'm so glad my husband simply replied with: "Thats because you choose to have children and mum choose to be a stay at home mum. Nothing wrong with people making different choices in different times."
As a nursery school teacher I'd wish for people to stop having kids just because they feel like they have to, or because 'they are cute'. More often than not these kids end up for nine hours in daycare, never fully able to really bond with their parents. And I am not talking about single parents, who have to work two jobs, but parents who just 'really, really wanted a child' but also don't want to give up their three yearly holiday trips or their precious free time. Having a kid means having tonmake compromises. If you are not mature enough to see that or willing to do that, don't have a child.
If you have kids and love them and take care of them - great. If you don’t have kids - great. Just be a good person.
This is more like a child hating group who think having kids is disgusting. There's a difference between child free and child hating
So, you know each individual mind of the person that wrote these? You were in their head and heard exactly what they thought? You sound like a c-u-n-t. And you are definitely wrong.
I have two kids.. I had first at 35 and second at 39.. I decided to have them now because at this moment my husband and I were the same way. For years everybody asked "when will you have kids?" "When everybody will stop asking" ..when I hear these conversations I get angry and take the defense of those who do not want children .. for years I didn't wanted kids too and I understand what it means. Having children or not having children is an extremely personal choice. I wanted to have children, "when" and "why" only concern me and my partner and no one else, and not wanting children is exactly the same.. I feel like a straight person defending LGBT rights.. because it's just right..
Interesting article, but as with many other things it's sad people have such polarized views: either having kids is bliss and childless people must be miserable, or the other way around. In reality it's a complex issue, at least for me. My wife and I do not and will not have kids, because we didn't think we could handle it when we were younger and now we're too old to conceive and have too many health problems to adopt. We're okay with that situation, and realize we missed out on a lot of struggle and expense by not having kids. But at the same time, knowing we won't have kids to help us out when we get older, and that our bloodlines/family names will die when we do, is saddening.
I’m a single Dad who has a rather delightful ten year old daughter. She brings a ton of joy into my world. I have friends in their 30s, 40s & 50s who are all child free, we meet at gigs or pubs and I always know their reckless abandon with alcohol is not for me, here’s where it is different though, I love their devil-may-care attitude to life, some of it rubs off on me in a great way, I get to be Gavin, not Dad, I get to put the responsibilities aside and play at being childless every now and again. I’m properly pleased for my mates who’ve made the decision to not have children, they are living the lifestyle they choose, equally I love those who have chosen to have children. I’m in a new relationship and we’ve agreed that we both have the children we need in our lives, we will stick with those we have, we don’t need a child to prove we are in love or that we are committed to each other. That rules applies to everyone y’know?
As someone who has chosen to be child free, it's a little annoying to have people comment... but also... not a big deal. Like it's not a struggle to be child free.
I agree. If you can make your own choice then those questions don't matter. I think they matter more for people who want kids but are afraid to have to be confronted with monetary or biological reasons.
I'm a guy and I really like this post. Women don't need to have kids if they don't want too. It's their choice and they shouldn't be judged either.
Being Asian, it's normal to be asked this. And then the follow up about wanting to be with your children when you get old. Now being an older person, I ask them if they are being intrusive in their children's lives that way. None of them can answer without sounding selfish or admitting their children are merely retirement plans.
i only got one reply to people who don't want kids. that's your choice and if that makes you happy, i'll be happy too you don't have kids.
I have one kid and like I mentioned above I’m one and done. I completely understand and support why some people decide to be child free. Some people do not need to be parents and some just don’t want to be and that is ok. I honestly cannot stand the parents who look down on child free people and make their snarky comments about “you can’t be tired you don’t have a kid!!” For the longest I was child free and didn’t want one and those comments annoyed me so bad. I don’t understand why some people get personally offended by someone else’s choices, probably because they regret having a kid, like it mentioned above. Let people live how they want to. I also get annoyed by the people who give me s**t for only having one kid and then give their opinion on why only children are the worst.
Why do people care? No one is superior to others due to their having or lacking children. And none of their supposed perks are really only for either group.
If humans are fueling the climate change crisis, then out of control breeding is an issue. Humans are actively killing off entire species of innocent animals by the thousands (that is the worst possible thing I can think of). That's a problem; humanity is currently a huge problem. So bringing about more humans is a problem (unless you are living and coexisting in nature). Choosing to not have children to try to save humanity and other species is a morally correct decision. Choosing to bring another child into a horrible capitalist system is wrong unless they become a scientist or activist that works on stopping these catastrophic issues. Scientists say that climate change may have a tipping point where the damage is irreversible. Have you considered these things?
are you becoming a scientist yet?
Stingeyrino, do you believe climate change is happening? Do you believe it is an extremely important issue? What is your scientific background? What is your education level?
I've got three adult kids and regret not one single thing. But I crack up everytime someone noticing and start to explain automatically why they don't want any children. I don't even ask for that, so stop your explanation. Joy of life happens in so many ways I made my decision and you made yours so we are all fine with that.
It's funny how on one side childless people like to say - i have so much more money to spend on ME. - i can go travel the world and buy everything i want But on the other hand they blame parents for - being selfish - bringing another kid in this capitalist system and dying world
My 80+ year old neighbor gave us the best advice ever. She said "when people ask 'when are you having kids?', you just say 'we're trying'. It helps to look a little down when you say it. Then they'll be too nervous to ask again because they'll assume you're having "issues". Works like a charm. Now we're in our mid forties and haven't been asked since we got married in our twenties.
Animals are just alright, but LITTLE HUMANS, they rock!
But, little humans turn into adult humans. Animals are generally innocent.
54 and child-free by choice. I never regretted my decision. I was never drawn to kids and knew, at age 12, that they were not for me and I not for them. I would have been a terrible mother. If you do want them, ask yourself why. Most of the reasons for wanting them are BS. Be honest. Do not make a small being unhappy.
Can I say now that I don't want kids because I genuinely dislike children so intensely that the thought of having one around me makes me want to punch my own lights out.
You would get along with my dog... I think that he wants to bite THEIR lights out when he hear strange metallic noises and screams and see tiny humanlike heads bouncing over the neighbor fence at the window. He really hate "trampoline time". Last time he was walking back home and suddenly growled and barked and i was like "there is no cat around WTF?",then closer to our home i saw that it was "trampoline time". He heard it from very far. I bet that when he have a nightmare it involves cats and children chasing him, or worst, children in cats costume bouncing on a trampoline while screaming!
My husband and I are so happy that we decided not to have kids. Everyone we know that has kids are not happy or doing what they want to. Our whole life has been a pleasure and we are extremely happy.
As I said to a friend not even a week ago, "a child is an 18 year loan I'm not willing to take right now".
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It could be much longer than 18 years. And if the child comes out handicapped, that is a full lifetime commitment.
Or the handicap might even make it way shorter. doesn't seem like there is a win scenario sometimes. But you know what they say, if you don't shoot you always miss.
It seems like the police are taking this if you don’t shoot, you always miss slogan way too literally.
that also makes the loan shorter i guess
My son has decided to be cf and I never have nor ever would pressure him. His life , his choice
I am going to get slated for saying this, I just don't get these parents that rant about the planet, using its resources, wanting a brighter future for their children and then have 5+ children, buying them every toy, gadget etc going. Let their kids go feral, trespassing on others property, damaging other peoples property, creating another resource using consumer of the future and then moan at others saying ""Well if YOU had children then......"
I was open to the idea of having kids - right up to the point that my ex-wife said she wanted one so she 'would have something to play with'. Now divorced - with NO kids.
Yes. That's not a good reason to have kids.
I read comment number 1 and quit. Good grief people I may have to stop looking at this. It's becoming so, so anti everything. Seriously....everything!
I didn't like some of these, I don't put down any bodies choice to not have kids, I mean more like more power to you! But some of these were putting down people that had kids. I mean do you want the Human Race to end? I get so tired of people asking me if I am dating again, after I have had two significant partners pass away. So yas queen, I probably will never date again!
Ever notice how these "have kids" people (along with pro-lifers) NEVER adopt any? How about pro-the-lives-already here?
I understand people who for whatever reason don't want or can't have children. But the blatant haltered towards the parents and even the children is baffling. To the point that one person referred to parents as 'breeders' in her post. And the aversion toward children, I will never understand. What did the innocent child ever do to you to hate him/her so much? Okay, enjoy your childfree life and let us parents enjoy our kids. To each their own. Before the hateful replies start, let me clarify something. I've been in the childfree boat as well. I found myself still single at 35 and the questions from men started, when you're going to have kids, it's about time you marry had kids. No, sorry, I will not be a single mother. I would not deny my kid(s) his father. The right man arrived shortly after and I've done all of that. And yes, there were nights where I rocked the baby to sleep and wondered why I needed this. He is now 17 years old and very smart, responsible young man.
I dont want kids, because I"m happy without there. This is simple, and I dont HAVE kids never.