If you have kids, you know the decision to embark on the parenting journey is like getting on one wild rollercoaster ride. But despite the sleep deprivation, financial burdens, and the search for that non-existent work-life balance you're so desperate to find, no one will ever question your choice. There are many reasons for people to want to bring little bundles of joy into this world, after all. But as shared by people in various 'Ask Reddit' threads, there are also plenty of valid reasons not to.
A Pew Research Center study found that more adults (around 44% of people ages 18 to 49) report they’re unlikely or "not too likely" to have children — ever. But even though they consciously choose to forego parenthood altogether, the pressure to have kids is still huge. Childfree people often face a fair share of stigma and hear the accusatory murmurs that they're missing out. But are they, really?
In a bid to find out why so many opt for a childfree life, several Redditors delved deeper into the subject. They sparked discussions online that quickly turned into very interesting reads. We’ve gone through their threads and gathered some of the most illuminating answers to share with you all, so check them out right below. Keep reading to also find our interview with Erin Spurling, founder of Curiously Childfree. Then, upvote the ones you agree with and be sure to share your own thoughts with us in the comments.
#41
They s**t themselves. They drink too much milk and puke cottage cheese. Annoying most of the time. Can't talk right for like 2-3 years, then they don't make sense for the next 15-20. Expensive as f**k. There is a chance they hate you and kill you in your sleep.
I'd rather be an uncle and call it a day.
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47points
#42
Im an older sister to many, I feel like ive already been a mother, i want to enjoy life, not cater to someone else’s needs. Im sure it will change but right now I’m very uninterested in birthing a tiny human and having to raise it
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47points
#43
My sister had a baby with her boyfriend while she was still living at home and I wanted to kill myself from the baby’s constant crying at every hour of the day. No way in hell I would purposely put myself through that again. People with more than one kid are psychos.
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46points
#44
People who do want children, have you ever had to be near a child for more than an hour.
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46points
#46
They're expensive and I want to live my life without having to worry about them constantly.
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45points
#47
haven't conquered my inner demons yet...
I don't want them to inherit my inner demons
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44points
#49
I can't imagine how gross it must be to be pregnant and to plop a child out..
I hate my body the way it is - why should I make it worse?
I hate my body the way it is - why should I make it worse?
The responsibility for myself is way too much.
And I really love alone time.
I am happy about all the time I get when my bf is not at home.
I like to be free and spontaneous. Go to festivals and stuff like that.
With a child I would have 10-20 years no privacy and all my schedules have to be around the child...
And I really love alone time.
I am happy about all the time I get when my bf is not at home.
I like to be free and spontaneous. Go to festivals and stuff like that.
With a child I would have 10-20 years no privacy and all my schedules have to be around the child...
I hate children. I don't like when they look at me and especially when they wanna talk to me. I always try to ignore them and hope their parent gets them soon.
I love my grandma but when her neighbor hat a baby and was often at my grandma I stopped visiting her because I would not want to see a child...
I love my grandma but when her neighbor hat a baby and was often at my grandma I stopped visiting her because I would not want to see a child...
How could one financiate that? One has to slow down work, the career takes a massive step back and you need to buy so much stuff for it. Let alone a bigger flat and vacations are only possible in holidays and no one can pay for that.
And it is bad for the environment and the world.
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38points
#50
pros:
-cute
-see how your partner and you mix
-naming it
-dressing it up
-cute
-see how your partner and you mix
-naming it
-dressing it up
cons:
-money drain
-stress faucet
-climate change
-overpopulation
-pressure to not f***k over the kid
-sharing
-consideration
-giving birth (i could go on a whole rant about that but let’s not)
-potential strain on relationship with s/o
-some people shouldn’t be allowed to be parents, i am one of those people
-daily expenses/upkeep
-special expenses (christmas, birthday, etc)
-too much responsibility
-forced to grow up/be mature/a role model
-screaming
-crying
-fluids from child (spit up, vomit, feces, urine, blood, etc)
-potential problems with health and to be responsible/parent them
-children being brats
-birds and bees talk
-stubborn, horrible, insufferable children defying you
-being cucked by your own horrid creation (possibility your son becomes a misogynistic, racist incel or frat bro, possibility your daughter is too naïve and stupidly thinks it’s a good idea to get groomed)
-maid them/clean after them
-listen to things you don’t want to listen to
-loud, noisy
-rowdy
-money drain
-stress faucet
-climate change
-overpopulation
-pressure to not f***k over the kid
-sharing
-consideration
-giving birth (i could go on a whole rant about that but let’s not)
-potential strain on relationship with s/o
-some people shouldn’t be allowed to be parents, i am one of those people
-daily expenses/upkeep
-special expenses (christmas, birthday, etc)
-too much responsibility
-forced to grow up/be mature/a role model
-screaming
-crying
-fluids from child (spit up, vomit, feces, urine, blood, etc)
-potential problems with health and to be responsible/parent them
-children being brats
-birds and bees talk
-stubborn, horrible, insufferable children defying you
-being cucked by your own horrid creation (possibility your son becomes a misogynistic, racist incel or frat bro, possibility your daughter is too naïve and stupidly thinks it’s a good idea to get groomed)
-maid them/clean after them
-listen to things you don’t want to listen to
-loud, noisy
-rowdy
basically if i had to raise myself, i wouldn’t.
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34points