The world is a lot different than it was for our parents aka the Baby Boomer generation.
Most millennials (and younger generations) are getting married later in life, unable to afford their own homes, and are even avoiding having children altogether.
Curious about that last point? Thanks to a lively Reddit thread, come read the reasons why people are choosing to never have kids.
If someone struggles to take care of a pet cat, let alone a pet fish, parenting might not be for them. Taking care of a baby means answering all of their needs.
"Did you have a bad childhood? I did and I don't want to pass on the dysfunction to the next generation. Also I feel like I didn't really have a childhood, so I deserve one now." - Redditor GirlDwight
This Redditor painted a peaceful picture of being able to do whatever they want, like sleeping in on a beautiful Saturday morning and hitting the gym without getting a babysitter first.
This Reddit user wrote that they would make a terrible partner and a lousy parent since they are "aromantic and self-centered."
At least they're honest, right? Kids are expensive and take up a lot of time.
"I’ve been to plenty of family gatherings where kids are screaming and running wild basically, and all I can see is how tired the moms are. I’ve never left thinking 'yeah, that’s the life I want' either." - Redditor idrodorworld
Imagine losing the carefree freedom from childhood because you're too busy raising someone else's children.
It would take the excitement out of having kids, like it did for this Redditor.
This Redditor summed it up pretty nicely, explaining that you get to take the kids out for a while, be a big kid as you pump them full of sugar, and then return them back to their parents.
"I now work at a place with lots of visitors including screaming rowdy kids and entitled parents. Seeing both, I don’t have patience for kids and I don’t want myself to turn into my kids’ adults." - Redditor I_love_pillows
PPD or the baby blues are a very real thing.
Many celebrities have been outspoken about it before and the impact it had on their medical health. "no thanks I'll have to pass," wrote one Redditor.
It costs a lot of money to raise children.
Between the endless diapers to the childcare to feeding and clothing them, it's not for those who want to keep those purse strings tight.
This Redditor made a fair point: having kids can put a lot of strain on a relationship.
We hear about it and see it all the time in movies. Couples struggle to maintain the romance with kids.
"Too mentally ill from childhood trauma and have various auto immune diseases. Wouldn’t be fair to have a child when I’m not completely present for them. Love kids but not for me." - Redditor sheakat1997
"My wife and I want to travel and enjoy ourselves. Having a kid means not being able to do all that, and it is just not fun to deal with all the stress that comes with having a kid." - Redditor NotBreaking
"I’ve always had a lifelong fear of pregnancy and childbirth and I’m a very small person who suffers from a number of physical conditions that would make a pregnancy extremely difficult and risky." - Redditor a-wheat-thin
"Im terrified at the thought of sharing my body with another being. Im terrified of giving birth. I'm afraid of being unable to take care of and raise a child. Im afraid of being unable to afford a child. I'm afraid of my past affecting my children." - Redditor Next_Wing_5577
"I want to live my life, not be weighed down with a responsibility I don't want and wouldn't be beneficial for me. I like having the freedom to not have to deal with all that." - Redditor TheSorge
This Redditor said it best:
"This world is stupid, corrupt, full of [expletive]. Why would I want to bring anyone into this mess?" Given the world in 2020, this makes sense.
"Everytime I see parents out with their kids, the parents look tired and frustrated. Grocery store, restaurant, movie theater, etc. It makes me uncomfortable and sad for them. Why would I do that to myself?" - Redditor Cyber2354
"I don't want kids. There's literally no other reason," wrote this Redditor. Another echoed that they were simply born that way.
"Have just never desired children. No particular reason," they shared.
One of the most valuable traits a person can possess is being self-aware.
That's why I have nothing but respect for guutarajouzu, who said that they simply don't possess the mental stability to be able to provide a proper quality of life for a child.
This is one tactic my own family has tried on me several times over, but I'm not buying it.
If you're only having children so as to make them your personal caretaker, why not just forego children and save up for a live-in nurse?
Being a parent usually means that either mom or dad winds up staying home with the baby while the other goes off to work.
Not only can this create a hierarchy in the house but it also breeds resentment over time.
Not all people think it's cute and sweet when kids are running around the house like hooligans.
Some prefer the peaceful ambiance of a tidy home and just find the prospect of entertaining/talking to a child to be an annoyance.
Mom-shaming and dad-shaming have become increasingly more prevalent on social media. These days, first-time parents can't even buckle their child into a car seat without incurring the wrath of the internet.
So why subject yourself to the scorn of perfect strangers unnecessarily?
The shriek of a screaming child is enough to break glass in some circumstances.
Just the idea of having to deal with a child throwing a public temper tantrum is enough to make me want to disappear.
Redditor InternalCucumbers and his girlfriend feel that there are already enough people crammed onto this planet as is.
With the countless millions of children without proper homes and nourishment, they felt it irresponsible to add one more mouth for the world to feed.
Reddit user AnnieCorleone writes,
"I don't want to pass on certain traits & conditions. The list goes on. People always tell me I'll change my mind or regret it but even if I did, I'd rather foster or adopt anyway."
Some people would look at this photo and think to themselves "aww, how cute!"
But for those of us who don't want children, the sentiment isn't as sweet. I mean seriously, kid — what did you honestly think was going to happen when you climbed inside?
Being pregnant basically means saying goodbye to all of life's small joys and reprieves for nine whole months.
That means no smoking, no alcohol, coffee, sushi, etc. — the list is endless.
Reddit-user tbaby expressed how they felt our world is teetering on the edge. "I'm honestly worried about global warming, our realibilty[sic] on resources that could be cut off from a climate catastrophe combined with bad government regulation," they wrote.
This may seem a little vain to some, but I can completely understand not wanting to touch another human being's...mess.
I don't want to ever get to the point where I become comfortable with wiping human feces off on my pant leg.
I'm not saying that I don't have a whole lotta love to give. I'm just saying that I'd rather give it to a golden-doodle or a retriever than a child.
What's so wrong with that? Absolutely nothing.
Usually, it's those who chose to forego having children that get labeled as selfish. But as this Reddit user explains, they believe that society has it twisted.
Mainly, because they've never heard any parent give any reasons for having children that weren't inherently selfish.
Have you ever met a parent who said "don't have kids, you'll regret it"? Of course not, because that would make them sound like monsters.
Instead, they all tell you that it's the most fulfilling and rewarding experience life can offer, but don't they kind of have to say that?
No matter how you try and sugarcoat it, having kids can be detrimental to your sex life.
When your whole life is centered around your kids, finding time to be romantic with your partner becomes harder and harder.
