Guy Throws A Fit After GF Refuses To Give Him Kids: “Doesn’t Think Marriage Is Important”

Back in the day, there were pretty strict expectations about the path each couple’s relationship would take. After dating for a while, it was time to get married. And after tying the knot, the next steps were to buy a house and start a family. Nowadays, however, we understand that not everyone wants a traditional, cookie-cutter lifestyle. There are a million different ways to be a happy couple or loving family.

But issues can arise when you and your partner just can’t manage to get on the same page. One woman recently reached out to Reddit detailing why she’s refusing to have kids with her boyfriend. Below, you’ll find all of the details, as well as some of the replies readers left her. 

It’s important for couples to be on the same page before deciding to start a family

Young woman and her boyfriend having serious talk outdoors during sunset, discussing relationship and future plans.

Image credits:  Matheus Câmara da Silva / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

So when this woman’s boyfriend said he had no interest in marriage, she made it clear that they wouldn’t be having any children either

Text excerpt discussing a woman open to having kids until her boyfriend reveals no interest in marriage after seven years.

Text about a woman open to having kids and her boyfriend’s feelings about marriage and starting a family.

Close-up of woman holding baby feet, symbolizing openness to having kids and relationship challenges about marriage.

Image credits: Alex Pasarelu / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text excerpt about a woman discussing having kids and marriage commitment with her boyfriend.

Text excerpt showing a boyfriend expressing no interest in getting married and doubts about the importance of marriage.

Text discussing a woman open to having kids until her boyfriend expresses no interest in marriage or shared finances.

Alt text: Text discussing a woman open to having kids and her boyfriend expressing no interest in getting married.

Couple having an intense argument indoors, highlighting a woman open to having kids facing relationship conflict.

Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)

Woman open to having kids but faces boyfriend's no interest in marriage and relationship stability concerns.

Text discussing a woman open to having kids until her boyfriend reveals no interest in getting married and his health limits.

Image credits: Patient_Art4006

A quarter of all parents in the United States are unmarried

It seems like every single year, living a “traditional” lifestyle becomes less and less common. The more freedom people have to make their own choices, the more they experiment and realize that they don’t actually fit into any cookie-cutter molds. And while it hasn’t been unheard of to have children without being married for many years, it has become much less taboo over the past few decades.

According to the Pew Research Center, by 2018, a quarter of all parents in the United States were unmarried. This is four times more unmarried parents than there were in 1968. And today, one fifth of all American kids live with just their mother. At the same time, the number of unmarried dads has more than doubled since 1968. And about half of all single parents have never been married at all.

Meanwhile, marriage rates in the United States have been declining for the past 30 years. In fact, it’s now more common for adults between the ages of 18 to 44 to have lived with a partner than to have been married, the Pew Research Center reports. But the majority of both people cohabitating with a partner and those who are married have at least one child at home.

So how can a couple decide that it’s time to get married or have children? It’s understandable to be wary of marriage, especially considering the fact that about 41% of first marriages end in divorce. Plus, plenty of people have kids out of wedlock. As long as the kids have two parents who love them, it doesn’t matter if they’re wearing rings, right?

There are pros and cons to getting married, but one of the main reasons why couples choose to tie the knot is to have legal protections. The author of this post noted that her boyfriend was concerned about how men are often treated during divorces, but he didn’t seem worried about the fact that he would have no legal protection during a breakup.

Woman holding baby looking concerned beside stressed boyfriend on couch, reflecting conflicting feelings about having kids and marriage

Image credits: Curated Lifestyle / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Deciding whether or not to have kids is a personal choice that should not be taken lightly

If the couple were to be married and then later divorce, a judge would decide how to split their assets and custody fairly. If the pair was only breaking up, however, the situation could become extremely messy very quickly. 

Statistically, Millennials who say “I do” before having kids are also more likely to prosper financially, For Your Marriage notes. But, of course, deciding whether or not to get married or have children are not choices that should ever be taken lightly.

Motherhood clarity therapist Ann Davidman shared some advice with Elle for couples who are still on the fence about starting a family. She notes that there is no right or wrong decision, it truly depends on what you want. 

And even if you think you know how you feel about having kids, explore that. Try babysitting your nieces and nephews, or fully embrace your childfree lifestyle to understand what you’d be missing out on if you had a baby. Make an informed decision.

Davidman also says that your fears are irrelevant when it comes to making this choice. If you’re scared of having a difficult pregnancy or of having nobody to help care for you when you’re elderly, those fears shouldn’t inform your decision. They’re hypothetical situations that may not even become true, so focus on what really matters.

Finally, the expert says that deciding to become a parent is a personal choice. Don’t let anyone pressure you to sway one way or the other. 

We would love to hear your thoughts on this situation in the comments below, pandas. Do you think this woman made the right choice by putting her foot down and sticking to her values? Feel free to weigh in. Then, you can find another Bored Panda article discussing similar issues right here. 

Readers assured the woman that she was right to stand by her values, and many warned her that it might be time to end the relationship

Reddit comments discussing a woman open to having kids until her boyfriend reveals no interest in marriage.

Comment discussing divorce, single women, and birth control in response to relationship concerns about having kids.

Comment from ERVetSurgeon advising a woman about having kids and relationship boundaries with her boyfriend.

Comment discussing a woman open to having kids until her boyfriend expresses no interest in getting married.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a woman open to having kids until her boyfriend reveals he is not interested in marriage.

Text about a woman open to having kids until her boyfriend reveals no interest in marriage or parenting responsibilities.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a woman open to having kids and her boyfriend's lack of interest in marriage.

ALT text: A woman open to having kids faces disappointment after her boyfriend reveals no interest in getting married.

Comment warning about birth control in reaction to woman open to having kids until boyfriend reveals no interest in marriage.

Text comment discussing a woman's clear boundaries about having kids and her boyfriend's lack of interest in marriage.

Comment reading emotionally blackmailing woman into children out of marriage in online discussion thread.

Comment discussing a woman open to having kids and her boyfriend's avoidance of marriage due to divorce concerns.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing having kids and lack of interest in getting married.

Comment praising a woman for knowing her worth after boyfriend expresses no interest in marriage or having kids.

Text post about a woman open to having kids, but boyfriend has no interest in marriage or child support.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a woman open to having kids despite boyfriend’s no interest in marriage.

Screenshot of a forum comment discussing a boyfriend's lack of interest in getting married despite a woman's openness to having kids.

Reddit user discussing a woman open to having kids but her boyfriend shows no interest in getting married after 7 years.

Comment on a post about a woman open to having kids who faces conflict after her boyfriend says he won't marry.

Forum user cactuswildcat explains why a woman is reconsidering her relationship after boyfriend rejects marriage and kids.

Online comment debating a woman open to having kids despite boyfriend’s lack of interest in marriage.

Comment discussing relationship issues about having kids and marriage when the boyfriend has no interest in commitment

Comment discussing relationship issues as a woman is open to having kids, but her boyfriend has no interest in marriage.

Comment supporting a woman open to having kids but facing boyfriend's refusal to marry, advising caution and birth control.

Comment discussing woman open to having kids until boyfriend reveals no interest in marriage and relationship concerns after years together

Woman considering having kids reacts after boyfriend reveals no interest in marriage, highlighting relationship challenges.

Text excerpt about relationship issues showing disrespect and boundaries in a serious discussion about having kids.

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!