Why More People are Choosing Childfree Lifestyles
There’s this silly idea still by some (including the US vice-president) that there’s something wrong with people who choose childfree lifestyles. In fact, this is now becoming a very popular way of living, whether it’s due to worries about overpopulation, money worries or simply wishing to travel and live another kind of lifestyle.
Overpopulation is not so much the issue, more the fact that the average western child has a carbon footprint around 11 times of say one in Nigeria.
It does not mean that people who don’t have children, don’t like them! In fact, many people who are childfree work to help child welfare.
Plus of course many people have fertility issues, so don’t make remarks near such people, as it could upset them, if you don’t think that there are possibly other reasons for someone being childfree.
Others may have had a frightening trauma like a stillbirth or perhaps childhood abuse. You never know the reasons, so don’t judge. Some even go childfree, due to not wishing to pass on genetic risks.
Adoption of course is one avenue, to give loving homes to those who need them.
And even more relevant in this big bad world, many people now simply don’t want to bring children into a world run by idiots and narcissists who are destroying world peace and the planet. They simply find it too frightening. We now have leaders who literally are stopping people from giving birth, due to their terrifying actions.
Also read the post on modern natural conception methods.
Religious people should not tell others to have children
Often it’s organised religion and politicians that tend to ‘tell people’ that they should have children. Of course if someone feels that’s their life vocation, then have children. But never have them, simply because a vicar, priest or politician tells you to! It’s your business!
I have no regrets about not having my own children. It is my life. 400 years ago, I’d have been burned as a witch, for not wanting children. Or they’d have dunked me, like a big biscuit. Kathy Burke
Unfortunately politics and religion sometimes merges, when we start getting right-wing MPs saying that we should all have children ‘for the sake of society’.
It hasn’t worked so far, as most older people in England are shoved away in nursing homes when they get old and infirm. Unlike say in Indian cultures, where relatives go to live with the family, when they can no longer live independently.
Andrew Ridgley (who has a stepson) does not have biological children. On being asked in an interview recently which living person he most despised, he answers ‘too many to single out, but almost exclusively inhabiting the realms of politics and the clergy’.
Questions not to ask childfree women!
Journalist Emma Gannon writes how it’s good not to ask these questions to people who choose to be childfree, as you’re likely very off the mark on what their reasons are:
- You’ll probably change your mind.
- Who’s going to take care of you, when you’re old?
- How will you fill your time?
- So, you’re a career woman?
- Do you not like children?
- Are you going to freeze your eggs?
- Aren’t you worried you won’t have true love?
A few people who are proudly childfree
- Jennifer Aniston
- Miley Cyrus
- Dolly Parton
- Dame Helen Mirren
- Renee Zellwegger
- Debbie Harry
Sometimes I will meet kids who make me go ‘I want a kid’. And then sometimes I’ll meet children where I go ‘I hope that my sperm doesn’t do anything, because this person is a terror’. Trevor Noah
I’d worry sick about a baby. I have a cat. I check the door three times before I go out. I put food and water in every room in case the door closes, and he’s peckish for 20 minutes. Ricky Gervais
