[mcv]

The biggest reason not to have children may be missing: responsibility. Raising a child is a massive responsibility, and one not everybody is well-equipped, or willing, to bear. It's no easy task, and it takes precedence over everything else. The news is filled with stories involving parents who probably should never have had children.

I have two children, and I'm really glad I do, but I would never judge anyone for choosing not to.

[watwut]

I would not judge people for not having children. And plenty people should not have children - those who have tendency to be abusive and so on.

But I also think that many people expect/require too much of parents and parenting. It does not have to be and should not be insummortable all encompassing responsibility for average person. It does not have to be as isolating as it is and should not be.

These are doing of the way our society is structured, not something inherent to parenting.

[commandlinefan]

> not everybody is well-equipped, or willing, to bear

Well yeah, but the people who are least equipped are also the people least likely to be introspective enough to realize they probably shouldn't be having children.

[sanwLi]

Hey, I agree with you. I feel as though I should've included Responsibility instead of Freedom because that's exactly the point I was trying to make. Not having that responsibility is what gives you the freedom. I'm so glad that someone who has kids can be honest enough to say what you said. Usually people with kids become really defensive if I talk to them about my reasons to stay child free. Thanks again!

[mcv]

I also encounter that kind of defensiveness in many other areas. A lot of people seem to crave validation that their life choices are the only correct ones. A lot of people see other people making different choices as some sort of threat to their own choices or lifestyle, whether it's religious, political, or 'alternative' lifestyles, or even dress style. The reality is that there's plenty of room for different choices, and we can give each other space to make those different choices.

[abnry]

I'd love to have children. It took my sister having a kid to make me realize this. But with some health issues I have, I don't know if I could ever handle the responsibility. In normal circumstances it would be worth it.

[sanwLi]

I know what you mean. My sister has a kid and I love my niece to death. Not sure if I'll be able to deal with one of my own though.