How often do childfree people face criticism/discrimination, just because they don't want kids?

Seriously, I've gotten comments from people saying ';What kind of animal doesn't want kids?! You kill kids too? I would so dump you!'; or ';The world don't need arrogant people like you'; or ';You'll change your mind later on'; or ';You're going to have tons of babies'; or ';You're gay for not wanting kids';. Most negative comments were from parents or parent-hopefuls, esp. from females.





Are childfree people really treated this bad, and are they immature, arrogant, and ignorant than parents and those who want kids? Think about it. Speaking of immature, most of the comments I've gotten, they're the ones who are REALLY immature and ignorant.





So the question is, how often do childfree people face beef, criticism, and discrimination from others?








PS: Sorry to frequently ask on here, but I haven't asked anything in two weeks because there was a bug in my computer.How often do childfree people face criticism/discrimination, just because they don't want kids?
YES! Someone said I was selfish for not wanting kids....what?? Most people just say stuff like, ';oh, you'll change your mind. Or, ';who will take care of you when you're old?'; Seems like it would be selfish to have kids for THAT reason.





Oh well...just know you aren't alone.





EDIT: I agree! I mean- wouldn't good parents also want to make sure they aren't a burden on their children when they get older? Sad thing is, I've heard that argument more than once.





People also assume you HATE children. Just because you don't want any doesn't mean you want to kick them when you see them. I love my nieces and nephews (especially as they get older), but I also love the fact that I never have to change a diaper! That's mom and dad's job.How often do childfree people face criticism/discrimination, just because they don't want kids?
Sigh. Unfortunately it never ends. We have been married for 12 years childfree by choice and are always ';hounded'; by the relatives. Especially when there is a baby shower, or baptism. And yes, people have even been rude enough to ask at a wake.





People should not force their choices on those who do not want to be like them. Not everyone was made to be a parent. Coworkers, Inlaws, Relatives, you name it, We've heard it all. The only person who ever understood us was my Husband's Grandmother. She had 8 kids, and she knew exactly why we didn't want any. Her Italian husband ';Had'; to have a BIG Family. Bless her heart for surviving to the age of 95. She never once thought less of us for not wanting any kids. There are people out there who understand, but this is very difficult to find.
word.





my husband and i happily married when i turned 18 and we have decided to not have children. i am a victim of EXTREME hatred due to this. men and women alike accuse me of abandoning my duty to humanity. read my last question, if you like. it's a prime example
I just say that there are enough kids in this world as it is.
I respect the people who don't want kids. there is nothing wrong with that at all. Kids are great though.
I don't have kids either and the most frequent response I get from people is ';who will take care of me when I get older, '; too.





Well, having kids is not a guarantee that you will have somebody to take care of you and isn't that a pretty selfish reason for having kids anyway? I figure I'll just check in to hospice care when I get old enough.





I don't really get any discrimination from others because if they pry too much I tell them I went through fertility treatments and it didn't work. Then they say ';oh well you can always adopt'; and I just stare at them. Like duh, ya think? Mostly I just think that they have no idea how to react so they have some sort of stock answer.
I've never faced discrimination, and if anyone ever criticized me, they got a frigid stare and a turned back.





Who called you an animal??????? Tell them they'll breed your share. You should develop a thicker skin and a more caustic wit. Remind them that the ability to whelp does not an effective parent make, and you're smart enough to know that. If they insist on showing you a picture of their kid, look at it with a concerned frown and say ';is his/her face su;pposed to be like that?'; They'll stop.





We are not immature, arrogant and ignorant. We know that we and the planet are better off for our not breeding. I used to day to whoever said anything that I didn't like children, knew I was never meant to be a mother, would adopt a child who was already here if the opportunity presented itself, and that THEY had my share of kids anyway. This always shuts them up.





ETA: Q: ';Who will take care of you when you're old?';





A: ';YOUR kids - they'll be paying my Social Security. So go on, have some more. I could use a nice boat.';
You know what shuts them right up?


Tell them you like children roasted, and be sure to cackle menacingly!





They won't bring it up ever again, guaranteed.
It's even worse for females. People try to shove their smelly screaming kids under my nose or make me hold them, hoping that ';they'll melt my heart';. They really don't.


Or they tell me that my biological clock will start ticking and actually say ';tick, tick...';.


Or tell me that their lives were not complete until they had kids- what a sad life they had.


I love my nieces to death and I love spending time with them, but I am thrilled to send them home to their parents at the end of the ay. I don't get crap at work, because most people in my field either don't have kids, or have them late. However, every time I visit my husband's family, they try to tell them that I am selfish. I still fail to see how not contributing to overpopulation and global warming by having kids that I don't want in the first place is selfish.
I'm old enough now that my family has finally given up on me. (I'm 39.) Back in my 20's, my grandpa's wife would always ask me when I was going to have a baby. I would say, ';Not until I get married,'; thinking that would be a good enough reason to satisfy her. And she'd always say, ';You don't HAVE to be married to have a baby.'; Sure, I really want to be a single mom! It's crazy.





Really, though, in real life, the people I know respect my choice (or at least have enough sense to pretend to). Most of the nasty comments I've encountered have been on the Internet. I figure the anonymity brings out the worst in people. It sucks that your family treats you like that, though. Hope it goes better for you.
I do not have kids either and people will either say, ';That's selfish';, ';Don't worry, you'll change your mind';, or ';Why!?!!!';. It is not a societal norm, and as such, is not commonly accepted by people. There are far worse things than not wanting children- such as murdering or some other heinous crime. Yes, people who are child-free are judged b/c they are not following what is normal in society.





On another note, wanting children is never a 100% completely altruistic desire. People want kids b/c they like children and want their own, either biological or adopted. B/c they want to have someone to love and have that someone to love them back. Along with the ';Who will take care of you when you get older?'; questions.
While I know people have said these things I do not think they have all been said to you and this vicious. One of my brothers and his wife have no kids and no one says a word to him about it.





Usually this behavior comes from family and close friends. I would like to know who called you an animal.
some people are just idiots
Oh, ALL the time.





';Having children is the greatest thing a woman can do!';





Yeah. Tell that to Andrea Yates.
People make lots of stupid remarks - probably because they don't know what else to say. Don't take it to heart - if it bugs you, think up annoying things to say back. I find most of the people making assumptive remarks are young, those who have actually had kids tend to be more wise about it, and less automatically assuming that it will be a walk in the park - although you will always get 'you'll change your mind' a lot, just because so many do (50% those who never wanted kids have them) only time will prove your point. As a childfree person myself, I've never personally got a lot of hassle about it from most people - but I have to stop myself reading childfree boards on the internet cause it winds me up sometimes reading about what some people think of the childfree. If you're happy and you're with the right person, it's nobody else's problem or business - just enjoy your life :-)