Wow. People are morons.

Wow, pinching and kicking children?! That's horrible! I may not want children of my own, but I don't harbor any ill will toward them or their parents.

I appreciate what you have said about those who choose to be childless. A lot of people think childless individuals are selfish. Of course, I argue that having a baby, because all of your friends are having a baby (which I have seen happen) is pretty selfish. It's a human being, not a doll to dress up and play with!

Before I met my husband, he tried dating and his lack of desire for anymore children made it difficult. When women asked him about children, he was perfectly honest. He told them he had one and didn't want anymore. They all called him selfish. I understand that these women were probably hoping to find a decent man to settle down and have kids with, but there is no need to be rude to a man who already has one child.

I am strongly supportive of those who choose not to have children. The reason? I love children and I love people who are honest! I agree with Chili, I HATE when someone tells a young woman who doesn't want kids, "You'll fall in love with that baby as soon as you hold him in your arms." Bullshit. I've seen the fall out of many mothers who didn't fall in love when the baby was "in arms" or later. Both the parents and the child suffer then.

I think most people are smart enough and know themselves well enough to KNOW if they want kids.

If someone says "I don't want kids." it is their choice and they know that is what is best for them. Added to that, I think it is quite brave to be honest enough with one's family, friends etc to let them know, "Nope. No kids for me. Don't even ask." I see too many people guilt-ed into having children. THAT isn't the right reason to have children. So many of them end up miserable... as do the children they brought into the world.

The ONLY reason to have children, IMHO, is when you want them more than anything in the world and are happy and willing to do anything for them. I'm one of those people, but I don't expect everyone else to give their lives in this way. It's a rational and mature choice to say No to becoming a parent.

That being said, I do expect my choice to have kids (and 3 of them to boot) to be supported, as well. I'm good at it, and I'm glad I had them. But, it is a hard life and a lot of extra work, and emotionally draining and not for everyone.

It's terrible that these people have that reaction without stopping to think of how they came to be a part of this world, alas their opinions are protected under the 1st Ammendment.

I don't like the term childfree. It sounds like a disease. I prefer childless and I have run into many people on the internet who posture and do what's trendy. Not having kids is trendy right now. They feel like the louder the curse and holler, they more they'll be heard. All I hear is "I'm a righteous douchebag with more time than brains".

You know, until I stumbled into this forum, I had no idea there was a "movement" or that it was called "childfree". I don't usually call myself "Childfree" in public or in person - but I do tell people if they ask that I have no children and have no plans on having any.

There are boards dedicated to hating all other groups (of people, animals, ideas, and things), why not kids? People have a right to hatred, as much as it may pain us.

I think calling it a movement might be a little bit strong, but there is definitely a growing number of people who choose not to have children. It is, however, quite popular in one specific internet forum that I can think of (that has not already been linked) and I have to say those people are brutal for no good reason. They generally link back to arguments such as "well, it's our tax dollars paying for their brat". It's the age old problem of people counting/spending other people's money. It's ridiculous.

I agree that people to tend to assume that the natural next step after marriage is to have children. I have had people ask me when we are going to have children. They seem puzzled when I say we are not having children. Strangely, these are some of the same folks that complain their children are driving them crazy and they're constantly broke.

A couple of posters have mentioned sterilization. When my husband had his vasectomy, the doctor would only do it, because he already had one child. I've heard it generally said that doctors will only sterilize people who have already had children. So, my question is: Do some doctors sterilize even those who've had no children?

I'm getting mine done through public health - their only requirements are that you're over 21, have been thoroughly educated on the matter, and you're in your right mind when you decide to have it done. They give you plenty of time to change your mind, too, just in case.

I would have punched her for calling me that name.

But I have a nasty nasty temper. LOL

I'm childfree because I don't want to have children without being married, not for any religious reason, but because of financial and security reasons. i hope to have children, just not soon.

I have a bad temper, too. But, if I had punched her (and I was very upset) it only would have made her feel "vindicated" and right for her insult. And she could tell her crazy friends that a "moo" hit her.

It would only enforce the stereotype that some of these people have set up about parents.

I simply smiled and said, "Thank you."

It sucks, doesn't it? It's a good way to describe people who simply do not ever want kids (as opposed to those who can't have them and want them, or who want them but haven't had them yet.) Sometimes jerks ruin things for people.

They took a good descriptive term and, at least for some, put some awful connotations on it.