50 People Who Are Child-Free By Choice Candidly Talk About The Reasons Why They Don't Want To Become Parents

"Kids are great and they're even better when you can give them back to their parents."

Chelsi

• Published in Interesting
• March 29, 2023

AskReddit is the best place to go when you want the answers and opinions of thousands of people from all walks of life. The questions posted in this subreddit evoke the most lighthearted responses to well-thought, intellectual answers.

Since the discussions in the subreddit attract people from all backgrounds, the answers are just as different. Some answers may or may not align with your own personal beliefs, but they are nonetheless intriguing.

Take this recent controversial question posted in the subreddit. A curious Redditor asked, "why don't you have kids and/or do not plan on having kids?"

This topic is sure to be controversial, but it garnered 1,700 candid answers from Redditors who are child-free by choice. In today's political landscape, this topic is particularly polarizing.

In the subreddit, the answers were overwhelmingly and surprisingly respected by others. No one told women what to do with their bodies, and no men were advised to sow their wild oats.

It was genuinely refreshing to see people handle a conversation so maturely. Who would have thought Reddit could be a safe space even for this kind of discussion?

Out of the nearly two thousand comments, here are 50 of the most upvoted and honest responses we could dig up. No children were harmed over the course of this conversation.

1. It probably wasn't easy to share this much in a public forum but his honesty is appreciated

Knowing your own limitations and how they could be harmful to any potential children is thoughtful

A child will definitely need attention and commitment

2. It's difficult to give a child what they need when your focus is elsewhere

3. Ah, went straight to the source

4. The state of the world is the best contraceptive

5. Why is the default path for us is to have kids anyway?

6. The uncertainty of what the future holds for your kids is a terrifying thought

7. This kind of satisfaction is something we long for

8. We don't always get what we want, but we can be gifted with clarity

9. No child deserves to live in poverty

10. Sometimes the best reason not to be a parent...

... is knowing that you do not have the traits to be a good one

11. Kids definitely require consistent care and looking after that some people are not capable of

12. Once you have kids, they are priority number one in all aspects

13. You never retire from being a parent or a caretaker

14. A loooooooooooong patience is a requirement

15. Their cuteness is not enough to outweigh the struggle of bearing and sustaining them

16. Planet earth is not the most conducive place for child rearing

17. The real challenge, as if growing and birthing the child isn't difficult enough, begins once they are born

18. Having a medical history this expansive is enough reason not to risk having a child

19. Giving birth is one of the most traumatic experiences subjected to a body. It's no joking matter.

20. No amount of parenting books can ascertain the type of parent you'll become

21. Starting a college fund but actually using it for a vacation must be the best decision-making in history

22. There are enough kids without parents to adopt when you do decide to become one

23. Isn't everything happening right now, simultaneously enough reason not to have children?

24. Both are lifelong if we're being honest

25. An opinion like this towards kids does not scream potential parent

26. ... and that's valid

27. Where to begin?

28. There is no selfishness to be detected in this confession

All of this are all real effects of pregnancy and birth

The miracle of birth does not last long, it quickly wears off once the responsibilities set in

29. "A child does not deserve to have me as a parent," is truly one of the most selfless and thoughtful reasons

Being a cool aunt and uncle is a much better option if possible

30. Supporting one person, yourself, is enough work

31. The pragmatic aspects of living with kids day in and day out are often overlooked

Adding children to a barely controlled life is an awfful choice for the kids

32. Why is it acceptable to choose to be a parent but so shameful to choose not to be one?

33. If the choice to be a parent will add no value to your life, then that is enough reason not to have kids

34. Society is not ready to face this question

35. It would actually weigh on my conscience

36. True, yet controversial opinion

If parenting is a lifelong goal, why not adopt a child?

37. A kid does not fit into that equation

38. There are no compelling arguments to change a conviction

39. I wonder what made this person realize they do not want to be a parent

40. Just the top reasons are enough

41. There won't be a difference between work and home life

42. The cycle of abuse and abandonment has to end

If you never seeked helped for your trauma, you are likely to pass it on, consciously or not

43. Messing up your kids because of who you are is a real fear

Kids do not deserve parents who are not available for them

44. They can be adorable but require an insane amount of sacrifices

45. Your unborn children thank you for not scarring them

46. Parenting is an all-or-nothing deal. It should never be half-assed.

47. Sleep and naps are not on the table if you choose to have kids, not until they move out at least

48. Sounds like it's from fiction, but valid nevertheless

49. We've reached full capacity long ago

50. No additional clarifications necessary

No one should ever dictate to others what they can and can't do to their own bodies. Pressuring people to have children is not acceptable especially when they are sure they can't be good parents nor do they want to.

The honest Redditors who opened up despite the possibility of being shamed are admirable. May they remain happy for the rest of their child-free existence.

Chelsi