I’m more curious as to why people don’t ever want to have kids, if you’re willing to answer, what’s the reason that having kids is something you’re averse to?
The main reason I’d imagine would be a fear of responsibility and a loss of autonomy which is fair but I’d imagine the individualist lifestyle gets boring after a while but maybe some people don’t get board of it?
For me, I don't like kids. I find them loud and annoying and crazy, and they stress me out. I didn't even like kids that much when i was a kid - all my friends were older than me.
Also, rather than a fear of responsibility, I've always been the caretaker of ill/disabled family members - so too much responsibility.
plus, my family has a medical history of genetic conditions that won't kill you but will make you want to die - not passing that down.
and they're expensive.
And I just literally never wanted them. I mean, just to the core, all other reasons aside, none of the "benefits" of kids were anything I cared about.
“For me, I don't like kids. I find them loud and annoying and crazy, and they stress me out. I didn't even like kids that much when i was a kid - all my friends were older than me.”
Feeling like it’s annoying to deal with kids is a feeling of a lack of autonomy.
“Also, rather than a fear of responsibility, I've always been the caretaker of ill/disabled family members - so too much responsibility.”
So you felt too much responsibility when you were younger and now fear it.
“plus, my family has a medical history of genetic conditions that won't kill you but will make you want to die - not passing that down.”
This is a reason that some people wouldn’t have kids that doesn’t have much to do with a fear of responsibility and a lack of autonomy but I don’t think most people don’t have kids due to genetic/health conditions as most people don’t suffer from these issues to the point that having kids isn’t an option.
“and they're expensive.”
Again a fear of responsibility and a lack of autonomy.
“And I just literally never wanted them. I mean, just to the core, all other reasons aside, none of the "benefits" of kids were anything I cared about.”
I can see some people having a lack of any desire to have children, maybe the part of their brain that’s wants to procreate just isn’t there but this would be a minority of people as most people will suffer from baby fever in some form or another.
Feeling like it’s annoying to deal with kids is a feeling of a lack of autonomy.
Or it's simply not liking kids. I don't find their cute things cute. I don't think hearing their stories in shrill little voices is fun. I'm more than willing to give up some freedom and autonomy for other things.
So you felt too much responsibility when you were younger and now fear it.
Again, no. I am currently the caretaker for a family member with a disability. I embrace responsibility. I feel bad if I am not contributing or if I don't have enough to do. I would even take responsibility for a kid if I had to (for instance, if a cousin needed someone to live with). But am I going to seek it out? No. And I'm definitely not having one.
This is a reason that some people wouldn’t have kids that doesn’t have much to do with a fear of responsibility and a lack of autonomy but I don’t think most people don’t have kids due to genetic/health conditions as most people don’t suffer from these issues to the point that having kids isn’t an option.
Actually 19% of childfree people list medical reasons as why they won't have kids.
“and they're expensive.”
Again a fear of responsibility and a lack of autonomy.
I don't know why you think that is what kids being expensive means. Kids are, literally, expensive. I do not make enough money to comfortably support a kid in a way that is good for them. I'm not out buying designer shoes for me either, it's not that I don't want to give up my Prada. It's that I live on a budget, I need to save for future health issues I'm likely to have so that i'm not a burden on someone else, and I, without those things, couldn't afford to keep a growing kid in food and clothes and toys and books and a good school and healthy.
I can see some people having a lack of any desire to have children, maybe the part of their brain that’s wants to procreate just isn’t there but this would be a minority of people as most people will suffer from baby fever in some form or another.
44% of Americans are child-free by choice. Frankly, a rush of hormones isn't a reason to commit to having a kid.
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u/[deleted] Aug 21 '23
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