What's your opinion of people who choose not to have kids?

Question

Do you scoff at them? Ignore them? Invalidate them?

Also, what percent of people choose not to have kids?

Answer 1

I am a 42 year old child free male.  I have a girlfriend who feels the same.  I have a lot of Friends that do as well.

I once read that in the USA one in five women will choose not to have children by the age of 40.  Most women in their 20's and 30's don't know that they will chose never to have children yet.  Nobody keeps said statistics on men.

Many people will openly criticize us in public.  But when there are no peers around to, hear them, they will tell us that they wish they had done the same.

So long as people don't know that having children is a choice, and are subject to peer pressure, they will continue to voice a low opinion of us.  They will continue to label us a "g*y", and for on.

Answer 2

I praise them. I respect their decision. At least they are smart enough and conscious enough to know what they want out of life; or in this case, don't want! Too many people end up with them in an irresponsible way. Some people have no business with them. Some people don't know where they come from and just keep having them. If you have 1-3 OK. But people who have more and more and just won't stop, have little consideration for anyone else. They could provide so much more for their kids if they had fewer. 2 will make you just as happy as 8!  Sorry I can't tell you the %. But I am going to guess it's not very high. So many people act like it is contest to see how many kids they can produce.

Answer 3

None of the above.

I think that the obsession to have kids while the Earth is obviously straining to support our current population is silly.  I look down on people who have more than 1 or 2 kids.  It's ridiculous to have 4 or 5.  Totally selfish and without regard for the millions of kids who are currently up for adoption.

Answer 4

None of the above. They have my respect. I wish I knew the statistics, but we're in the minority sadly.

I think those who are childfree are more intelligent. They have more life and travel opportunities compared to the opposite.

Answer 5

This is their choice. I am in no position to judge nor comment about their choices.

Some chose not to have kids for medical reasons, etc. or some chose not to have because they lack inability to care for them. Whatever their reasons, I respect their decisions.

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Answer 6

I'm not going to hate someone on the sole basis of whether or not they have kids. That's like eating smoked salmon, hating it, and declaring all fish "disgusting" thereafter because of one salmon. Tip of the iceberg deal.

Percentage... no idea. Add me to that number if you ever get it, though.

Answer 7

My opinion is that it is their choice, and it is none of my business.  I resepct their decision because they obviously feel as though the do not want children for some reason...I wish more people would consider the circumstances that come with having children and treat the decision more seriously!

Answer 8

It's entirely their own business . I wouldn't want someone making that choice for me , so I certainly wouldn't scoff or ignore them or anything else .

Answer 9

I have never heard one person slight another person for choosing not to have children! If it's not for you then it's not for you! Even if someone did scoff at me if I decided not to have kids, I certainly would not go out and have some just because that's what someone else thinks I should do!

Answer 10

I feel they should get a big tax break. Why should they pay to send our kids to school? They suffer from higher water, fuel and other utility bills when they aren't the ones contributing to the problem. Childless couples are part of the solution, not the problem. Lets reward them.

Answer 11

Never thought about it! Now that I have, I have no opinion. I really don't care what other people decide for themselves as long as it causes me no harm.

Answer 12

That is their Decision!