Why More People Choose To Be Childfree
There is still a lot of stigma in society for those who choose childfree lifestyles, which of course became a real political hot potato for JD Vance, when he referred to American women who chose not to have children as ‘childfree cat ladies’.
I love children. The only problem with children: they grow up to be people. And I just like animals better than people. It’s that simple. Betty White
Do Childfree Adults Not Like Children?
Far from it. Most people who choose to be childfree care deeply about the next generation, and one of the reasons why they often choose to be childfree, is because they are spending their time trying to protect the planet, so that the children of tomorrow have better lifestyles.
It’s funny sometimes how gas-guzzling parents who throw smartphones and other western consumer traps to their children (and then feed them fast food meals from factory-farmed animals) are lost on the premise that it’s often the childfree peeps who are trying to mop up the damage caused by western consumerism.
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.
Some people would love children but can’t have them due to medical issues. In which case childfree people always feel empathy. Adoption of course is one avenue, to give loving homes to those who need them.
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
