Child Free

[moonkitty]

I’ve seen and read a lot of hoopla regarding the child free lifestyle here (and on other sites). I don’t quite understand why anyone thinks they have the right to tell people whether or not they should have kids. I have 2 kids, but I fully support someone’s decision to not have kids.

Anyone want to share their opinion?

 

[Adriac]

You might pay fifty, even a hundred dollars for this child! But if you call now, it's available to you ABSOLUTELY FREE!

 

[relaxeus]

Likewise. I disagree with people telling others, "you should have children!". If they want to have children, great! If not, great!

Why is having children these days so important anyways? There are 6.5 billion people in the world. If anything, we should have more people deciding not to have children so we can lower that incredible number.

I value freedom a great deal, and it seems to me that much freedom would be lost in a society where people were being forced to have children.

 

[Pseudonym]

What's the basis for telling people they should have children? Is there something in the Bible that says you MUST have children to be a good or worthy Christian?

 

[momalle1]

What's the basis for telling people they should have children? Is there something in the Bible that says you MUST have children to be a good or worthy Christian?

I think the be fruitful and multiply is often taken as a command rather than a wish or blessing.

I agree, it's your decision. In the vein of another thread, maybe we could tax any amount of children over three as a burden. (That's sarcasm by the way)

 

[WhoeverLovesGod01]

You can't tell people they must have children, but the "child free" attitude is borderline perverse.

 

[moonkitty]

You can't tell people they must have children, but the "child free" attitude is borderline perverse.

Why do you think its borderline perverse? What is your definition of “perverse”?

 

[WhoeverLovesGod01]

Avoiding children is one thing; deciding not to have children for personal reasons is another; declaring yourself "child free" is antisocial.

 

[moonkitty]

Avoiding children is one thing; deciding not to have children for personal reasons is another; declaring yourself "child free" is antisocial.

How is avoiding children and deciding not to have kids different things?

And how is deciding not to have children antisocial? I know many adults who have decided not to have children and they are very sociable people, they even come to my house and socialize with my children.

 

[momalle1]

Avoiding children is one thing; deciding not to have children for personal reasons is another; declaring yourself "child free" is antisocial.

Making choices about your own life is antisocial? What if you're an alcoholic or drug user and decide you can't raise children properly, or (GASP) simply don't want children?

 

[Robinsegg]

I think the be fruitful and multiply is often taken as a command rather than a wish or blessing.

Actually, it was a command to the newly formed world. I'm not sure it's binding today, though. After all, everything needed to multiply to continue an ecosystem. At this point, people have done plenty of "multiplying", especially sin the last few centuries.

Rachel

 

[Lokisdottir]

Avoiding children is one thing; deciding not to have children for personal reasons is another; declaring yourself "child free" is antisocial.

It's not antisocial. The term "childfree" is used because "childless" implies that there is something missing from the person's life. It was originally coined as an identifier for people with no kids who wanted to meet and socialize with other people with no kids.

It's also a handy phrase. "I'm childfree" can be used as a quick and easy substitute for "I have no kids... no, I don't want any... yes, I'm sure" ad nauseam. You'd be amazed how persistent some people are about this.

 

[WhoeverLovesGod01]

How is avoiding children and deciding not to have kids different things?

The importance is the emphasis.

Making choices about your own life is antisocial.

If it involves the disparagement of children, yes.

Also, not wanting children is not a "gasp" matter.

 

[beechy]

Actually, it was a command to the newly formed world. I'm not sure it's binding today, though. After all, everything needed to multiply to continue an ecosystem. At this point, people have done plenty of "multiplying", especially sin the last few centuries.

Rachel

So some biblical commandments may have been relevant to the new or old world but not to the modern world, even where the Bible doesn't expressly revoke those commandments? (just following up your statement and curious as to your thoughts .... don't mean to derail the thread ...)

 

[Lokisdottir]

Also, not wanting children is not a "gasp" matter.

It certainly seems that way.

"You'll change your mind, everyone does."
"Don't you want a baaaaaby? Everyone wants a baaaaaby!"
"It's different when they're your own!"
"I didn't want any when I was your age, but.. well.. things happen..."
"It's just a phase, you'll grow out of it."

When it comes up that I don't want kids, I'm almost guaranteed to hear one or more of these phrases. There have even been occasions where people have refused to quit pestering me about it long after the subject has changed.

Incidentally, I never bring it up on my own. It's always "What about you, Lok? When are you and Mr. Lok going to have kids?" I'm only 19 for crying out loud!

 

[FadingWhispers3]

Aw... someone shoulda told the 144,000. Then maybe they would have reconsidered and gotten their groove on.

 

[wanderingone]

If it involves the disparagement of children, yes.

There's no inherent disparagement of children in the phrase "child free" as pointed out it differentiates between child less and without children by choice. If someone indicates they are child free I know they aren't struggling with infertility, or hurting over their inability to successfully adopt.

Not wanting children does not equal not liking them, not being fond of children doesn't equal being anti-social. Besides I've encountered numerous parents who don't appear particularly enamored of children and/or are rather anti social.

 

[nathans1987]

i find it funny that it is alwase the joke that men dont like kids but when it comes down to it in reality its more females lol my mum didnt want kids but now she has 5.

lok i am only 18 and i intend to have kids one day not in the near future but one day. if you dont then you will be very lonley and have not much to live for in your elderley days. i like the idea of setteling dow with a family as god intended us to, but you may not as it is commom in the WORLD not to have kids and common for christians to follow WORLDLY behaviours(i am not telling you to have kids plz dont take like that i want that pic!).

(+1 blessing 199 left till i get my personal pic )

 

[nathans1987]

Likewise. I disagree with people telling others, "you should have children!". If they want to have children, great! If not, great!

Why is having children these days so important anyways? There are 6.5 billion people in the world. If anything, we should have more people deciding not to have children so we can lower that incredible number.

I value freedom a great deal, and it seems to me that much freedom would be lost in a society where people were being forced to have children.

umm did god ever say to decrease the population because of overcrouding? no! the wourld is not over crouded i am quite offended that you would suggese lowering the pop. in china dont they kill the second child or something because of this. also no one forces people to have kids well that would be illegal if they did!

 

[moonkitty]

If it involves the disparagement of children, yes.

Also, not wanting children is not a "gasp" matter.

Well the disparagement of anyone young, or old would be wrong. But being child free does not imply that you belittle children, just that you don’t want any.

Automatically accusing someone of disparagement because of their views is just as antisocial.