Do you believe that it is selfish to NOT want to have children?

Question

Or the other way around? Neither? I'm interested in objective, intelligent opinions. :-)

For the record, I have no children!!!

Answer 1

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeellllllllllllllllllll No! You know how I feel about this girl. On a side note....why do you get so many damn answers?! Arrrrrrrrg!

Answer 2

You're not likely to get an objective opinion; reproduction is an emotionally charged subject.

That being said, I think it depends on the person. For me, not having children was the right decision. I do not like children in the least, and I have no patience with them. I do not feel a wellspring of love when I see a baby. Plus, with the population of our planet exploding the way it is, not having children seemed the most responsible thing for me to do.

Answer 3

Not at all

It is your choice in your life to have kids or not
and a large family can be wonderful for some

Its better you know you don't want kids than have them then decide after you have them that you have made such a big mistake...which a lot of people do.

I do think on the other side of having kids after you have had so many (4-5 even 6) and the taxpayers are paying for them I do believe you are wrong and selfish only thinking of yourself and not thinking of your kids and forgive me but usually do not have the same father

Answer 4

No. Some people want to be parents, and others do not. Some would rather adopt children already born than overpopulate the world more. Some don't want to bring children into this crime-filled world.

I am the mom of six, and would have had more. Many people I know have none--but it is a choice up to individuals.

Answer 5

It's not selfish at all. A person chooses what they want out of life and in life that do with themselves. You just have to believe in what you want and don't worry about what anyone else thinks or feel with your decision. Now these days the way the world is going allot of people needs to sit down and really think if they want to bring a child into this world. Your choice is your choice no one else.

Answer 6

Hmmm..... the only way I can think of it being selfish not to want children, if you are that rare perfect unconditionally loving individual who knows how to let children find themselves and live life the way they want to.

Other than that, I don't think it can be "selfish" to not want to have children.

There are alot of selfish people who become parents, like my mother, who force their children to live out what they wanted to do in life, and diminish people into feeling like they're worth nothing all day.

Kids need to have the things they need to go through life competently and confidently, and if you dont have those things, you are probably raised by a selfish person.

Answer 7

I agree with Stazilla, no it is not selfish. I do think it would be selfish to maintain a relationship with someone who DOES want children if one was SURE they did NOT want children.

Like Stazilla, I LOVE to travel; and, although I could take a child with me, the travel I like (hiking the Canadian Rockies, the Appalachian Trail, etc.) would have to be put on hold for 8 or 10 years.

There are times I miss kids ... when see a dad give away his daughter at a wedding, for example ... but I made my choice, and I am lucky to have a cousin's son for whom I can be an "uncle" of sorts.

Like Stazilla, I also DISAGREE with average_guy, who says he wants his kids to support him in old age or that us singles and non-parents are going to be a drain on his kids when we're old.

First of all, I chide him for HIS selfishness in feeling that his kids have an OBLIGATION to take care of him! He may be surprised when those days come. But, for me, I neither want nor need any help from his kids or those of others. I took responsibility and continue to take responsibility for MY OWN financial security when I get too old to travel. Believe me, I won't put as much drain on his kids' resources as they and their offspring will likely put on me or Stazilla through needed social services and infrastructure.

JMHO

Answer 8

I think it is being realistic. I do not want children either because i love to travel and when the urge hits me i pack up and leave. If i did have children it would hinder this. Granted, you can take children with you but i am not ready for that. It is better to realize your true desires than to have children just because people think you should. If more people were honest with themselves there would be less abortions and less divorces. To the person who says his kids are gonna support me when i am old has no idea about my financial situation. Trust me, Partner, i do not need or want your children's support.

Answer 9

I myself never did have children---by choice. As I look back over my life and see all the violence and trouble now days I made the right choice. Some people are not meant for parenthood. I think I would have made a good parent, it's just that I couldn't see bringing another child into a world full of hate,war,racial prejudice and all the other atrocities we live with.

Answer 10

i think that it is NOT selfish to not want children. If you know that you do not have the stamina to deal with a bunch of children, or if you like to travel, work, go out, do adult things, etc, than i think it is responsible not to want or have children. I think that in this case, having children is selfish, because you are hurting an innocent person with your selfish wishes to do as you want.

Answer 11

I don't think its selfish there have been several times when I had wished that I had none but those times are outnumbered by the times that I'm glad I do have kids. There are certain people out there who really shouldn't have any children.