Unsplash | Anna Earl

People Are Getting Honest On Why They Don't Want Children

Having kids is the greatest decision you could ever make — just ask any parent. But I for one am hesitant to go all-in when it comes to having children.

As it turns out, I'm not alone. Have a look below and read as people share the honest reasons behind their decision to not have children.

Because their minds are made up.

Unsplash | Marisa Howenstine

"I cannot stand people telling me 'you'll change your mind'. It's an absolute trigger for me. I've started telling them they'll change their mind about choosing to have kids, and they look at me like it's the rudest thing they've heard and I go 'that's literally what you just did to me'." - Reddit u/twinks45

The added stress just isn't worth it.

"My husband and I would probably be pretty good parents and we’re in a good spot financially, but we feel complete with each other. We have fun together and want to spend the rest of our lives without the responsibility and stress of kids." - Reddit u/billieaspen515

"I want to do what I want, when I want."

In the words of my hero, the great John Mayer: "nothin' to do, nowhere to be — a simple little kind of free." There's something to be said for living your life as you see fit and on your own terms.

Because they don't want to put their body through the physical trauma.

Unsplash | Anastasiia Chepinska

As Reddit user hmwhatshouldmynameb points out, growing a human being inside of you takes an incredible physical toll on a woman's body. And women shouldn't be viewed as selfish for wanting to abstain from it.

They're afraid they'll turn out just like them — or worse.

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"I grew up with an abusive father. Sadly, I see myself acting like him way too much. I really hate it. I know that when I raise my voice at my mum she thinks I'm just like my father. If I ever get kids I'd mess them up." - Reddit u/bruuuuuuuuuceee

"My life is complete without children. Plus, I'd rather just stick to cats."

I may not be a cat person the way that Redditor Merri-Weather is, but I feel the exact same way about introducing dogs into my life. Give me a puppy over a baby any day of the week.

Kids are creepy.

Reddit user ViridianNightshade says that children make them feel uncomfortable — even creeped out.

I'm inclined to agree. Have you ever seen The Shining? Those girls are downright terrifying. I wouldn't want to be afraid of my own children, either.

Because they're way too damned expensive.

In Canada, it costs just under $13,000 a year to raise a child — which means you're investing over a quarter of a million dollars before your child turns 18. Conversely, if you invested $13,000 a year for 18 years into an index fund — you'd be a millionaire by the time you retired.

To stop the constant cycle of abuse.

Unsplash | Claudia Wolff

"I was raised horribly so I don't know how to raise someone well. My parents had children even though their parents abused them. My grandparents' parents probably also abused them. I'm just cutting off the cycle." - Reddit u/Spencer2091

It's better being an aunt or an uncle.

Reddit user watchforbicycles says that it's much cheaper to be an aunt than it is to be a mother. That, and as soon as the kid starts making a fuss, you can hand them back over to their parents.

They have no desire whatsoever to reproduce.

"I just have no desire. I don’t hate kids, I love my Nieces and Nephews and have a great time being an influential part of their life. However, that means that I also see how difficult and stressful it is to raise kids." - Reddit u/I_have_stuffs_to_add

Because of global warming.

Unsplash | Roxanne Desgagnés

"I think that global warming and other factors mean the world won't be nice for too much longer," Reddit user likeellewoods explains. "I don't want to force someone to live through that."

"I find them very annoying."

Unsplash | Jessica Rockowitz

Kids can be incredibly annoying. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that there is nothing on this earth more annoying than other people's children. Control your offspring and keep them away from me.

Because they're worried they'll end up resenting their children.

Unsplash | Priscilla Du Preez

More often than not parents wind up blaming their children for the opportunities that they themselves never got to undertake. They wind up living vicariously through their children, thus creating a toxic relationship.

I want to travel the world.

If I'm going to get 50 countries under my belt before I turn 50-years-old — then I have a lot of traveling still to do. Quite frankly, I'd rather invest my money into making memories with the woman I love rather than having kids.

Losing their edge as a woman.

Unsplash | Edward Cisneros

"The happiest couples I know don’t have kids. Most women become moms and stop being a woman and wife. It’s really, really hard to do it all. There goes the marriage. Kids are awesome, but there is A LOT of sacrifice." u/peacegrrrl

Afraid of their own behavior.

Unsplash | Sebastian Herrmann

"I realize I’d be a terrible parent. I’d make my kids miserable because of my off putting behavior (being happy one minute then sad or angry the next). I don’t want to put any kid through what I’m like and I know some people don’t get that, but it’s not like I wouldn’t want to have a kid." u/Goneisthedead

They simply don't see the appeal at all.

"I’ve never wanted them. I don’t enjoy spending time around them, I find it exhausting. There’s no part of the entire process that I find appealing. Not pregNancy, or babies, or toddlers, none of It. I love seeing my family but after spending time around their children I am so happy to go home to my quiet house, with my dog and my partner." u/StefanitaLolita

They would just rather adopt.

"To be honest, I'm not exactly against having kids. I just feel more inclined to adopting one, I don't really want to add one individual to our already overcrowded population." u/Japilars

They like their marriage as is.

Unsplash | Євгенія Височина

"I love my marriage the way it is now. When I love something, it doesn’t make a whole hell of a lot of sense to lob a grenade into it and pray it doesn’t go off. My husband is a special needs teacher and between our two experiences we have seen where this whole situation can go wildly different than how people expected in a very negative way." u/goldenshear

Because of the rich.

"In this world where foo/ water & natural resources are slowly depleting. & only the rich will have access to what ever they want or need when shiz hits the fan. Naw man. I ain't putting my kids. Nor kids, kids through that." u/nakari821

"after realizing how I treat my youngest brother, I dont think I should have a child"

Unsplash | Austin Pacheco

User Shiroifukuro_ brings up an interesting point with that one!

I wonder how many people might not have had children if this was their thought process...

Agony

Unsplash | Fa Barboza

Reddit user DemiGod-Blockeh said that they couldn't handle bringing a child into a world where we are surrounded by agony more often than not.

Seen the news lately? Hard to argue.

Overpopulation

"My wife and I travel the world - half the year in different countries. Kids would not fit well in this lifestyle. We are also not willing to contribute to overpopulation; if one day we decide to raise a child, it would have to be through adoption." u/elmayab

Women go through enough.

Unsplash | Adam Winger

Some users pointed out that as a woman, they already go through more than enough and shouldn't be expected to do more just because society sees it that way.

Afraid of being terrible

"I would make a terrible parent, like i would teach my kids the wrong thing, not like morally wrong, but like, just plug the red and black things wherever to jump start start the car." herr_brandon

Asexuality.

For those unaware, asexual folks don't feel the need to engage in any kind of sexual relationship.

So they don't feel any desire to have a child as an extension of that.

Unconditional Freedom.

"Unconditional Freedom.

Also it’s Hard to take care of myself so I don’t want the responsibility for a child."

Are you set on not having a child? Let us know why down below in the comments!

h/t: Reddit