I dunno, I think the Duggars more than make up for people who don't want kids.

I'm not offended (being one of the people who doesn't want their own children, but still respects them as people), I just know that parenthood isn't right for me - I have problems that I don't want any offspring of mine to deal with, so it's actually better that they'd be born to someone else who are better able to care for them.

And, really, why would I want to force a child on someone who can't take care of them properly just because everyone else thinks it's a requirement of adulthood? That isn't fair to both the adult and the child, it just makes more people miserable.

I respect parents' rights to have children and care for them. I expect the same respect for my decision to contribute to the world in other ways.

Not all child-free people are child-haters, either.

To clarify, I'm not childfree or childless. I have two daughters.

I agree that, if it's your decision, that's fine and there doesn't need to be any derogatory remarks made about children. While they're not reading this, I think having that much disgust towards any human being is part of what's wrong with the world today. To me, it's just like homophobia, racism, and sexism. I am of the mind that if you don't like someone (or a group of someones, as is the case in discrimination) don't interact with them, but you don't have to be outward with your hate.

Yes you have free speech, but if someone was on here saying, "I hate fags!" or spouting off racial slurs, they'd be flagged instantaneously and we'd all be up in their business saying how wrong it is. Respect for all human beings regardless of age, gender, orientation, race... that should be the goal of this community (and humankind in general)

That said, we live in an age of over-parenting where many parents photo-document every aspect of their children's lives and share it with the entire world as if anyone cares what color Johnny's poo was, how many ounces of breastmilk they think Susie consumed based on her prefeeding/postfeeding weights, or whether little Timmy drew a house or a rainbow today. *insert eyeroll* And in an age of attachment parenting where people are constantly touching their children, they wear their children like accessories and judge everyone who doesn't do so. So I can understand where the irritation comes in.

I don't like the implication that if you don't have children you're leaving the world without a legacy or contribution. Everyone on this planet impacts another person, whether they were the parent of that person or not, so everyone leaves a legacy, even if it cannot be traced directly back to that one person.

Well, the world don't move to the beat of just one drum. What might be right for you, may not be right for some!

*Everybody sing* It takes, diff'rent strokes to move the world, it takes diff'rent strokes to move the world!]

Why can't we like posts on here yet? I need a like button!

Congrats!

That's what I was thinking! I actually laughed out loud.

I have two children, and would love to have more. I completely respect those who choose not to have children though, it's such a personal choice.

Well said!!! I wouldn't allow anyone to disrespect children in that way. Its rude and uncalled for. Your post was not cear. If it had said please do not post about your children....this is a poll about those of use whom do not want kids. Then no one would have replied the ways they did. I respect people who feel they don't want kids. Its your right and whatever reasons you have are yours. I do not think I could ever make a final choice to never have kids for fear that I may change my mind down the road. That's just me.

Oh gawd, yes. I wish I could like both yours and JR's post on here... multiple times. I'm ignoring the troll as I've had to read through that sort of post many times, even on childfree sites!

Psst, you're not childfree, just childless. Also, if you really think you'll have a tough time, try adopting?

right, and gay people are faggots, black people are N*'s, and ignorant name calling people like you are CHILDISH.

thanks for clarifying

Still waiting on that Like button

I tried to correct that after I read the entire thread. But yes for now I'm CHILDLESS. I wouldn't mind adoption if its my only option but for now I'm hoping ivf or something will help.

the childfree community is a bitter and childish one from what i have seen. they're angry and defensive and assume that everyone is going to tell them OMG PUT A BABY IN THAT OVEN DANIEL LOLOLOLOL. not everyone does that, but they still call them moos and breeders ragequit walmart because a baby made a gurgling noise that disturbed them.

this is why a friend of mine chooses not to use the CF word because they've tainted it with their hatespeach. i'm totally cool with not wanting kids, or even not liking kids. hell, even i don't like kids for the most part, but namecalling and attacking people who misunderstood the question with SHUT UP ABOUT YOUR STUPID CROTCH NUGGET THIS IS ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE REAL PEOPLE WHO DON'T MAKE PEOPLE WHO AREN'T PEOPLE YOU BREEDER SCUM kinda proves why the childfree community gets such a bad reputation, and should go back to alt.support.childfree and talk their smack there.

Now I want a like button. Thanks Kristi.

Again, that damn like button is missing!

awesome. i'm all for healthy productive talk with out all the childishness.

perfectly said.

this stuff gets rabid quick and i'm just counting the minutes before the CF hardcore community clicks through the profiles and starts attacking people on their personal blogs.

calling children "sprogs" is why CF can't have nice things.

tone down the anger and the message will become a lot more coherent.

I thought I'd reply as a member of the parenting community.

Personally, I don't like all kids. Some kids - yes. I loved being a parent and it was one of the most meaningful things I've ever done and I'd do it over again in a heartbeat if I could.

But that doesn't mean it is for everyone and I understand that. I know a lot of parents who understand that too and would support those who wish to be child-free.

I like what you said about how you'd respond to the various situations - the funny thing is - as a parent - I'd have the same responses.

I haven't been around many from the CF community so I can't say anything about if they're angry/defensive, etc. All I can say is that whatever your decision is about this - I support it.

All I ask is respect for the decision I've made too and to not be considered a "breeder" or something like that. I had to go on meds to have my kids and I almost lost them during the pregnancy and delivery. It was a fight to have them.

I must say that it was good to learn the difference between childless and childfree. That is great and I'd love to see someone write an article for Eden Cafe on it if it hasn't been done already!

Thank you, Zuul.

Additionally: Fairly new movements involving not following the core tenants of societal expectation are going to have rocky starts with both extremists and the common sense types being part of it. Feminism, equal rights, etc., all had their most radical proponents but also their most eloquent believers. Those who do not hate prefer not to be lumped together with those who do just because they share a desire for an end result.