Quote:
Originally posted by jinx
No, because I highly doubt that they are.
Childfree person: "I don't want kids."
Other: "But why? Don't you want to continue your bloodline? Don't you want to give your parents grandchildren? Isn't that being selfish?"
*although in my case, I've usually gotten, "I don't blame ya!" or "Good...don't!", but I don't like hearing others getting questioned like that.*
Person who wants kids: "I want (insert number) of kids."
Other: (goes into a conversation about how they want kids too, etc., and not "Why?").
Well let me clear up that misconception for you.
Once a woman gets pregnant she is a target for an infinite number of questions, coming from anyone who happens to see her. Complete strangers will approach you on the street and demand to know if you plan to breastfeed (after touching your belly without permission). They will demand to know how you plan to give birth and explain to you why you are wrong in your choice. They will demand to know where your baby will sleep, play, go to school...... and will tell you how badly screwed up your child will be if you actually follow thru with your plans. Every decision a parent makes will be scrutinized and criticized by anyone who hears of it.... and doctors and family are the worst offenders.
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Sure, but where was the, "but why would you even
WANT to be pregnant" question? I'll tell you where...nowhere to be found, because that's not something that many people would even
DARE to ask, but yet, as I stated, I know of more people who get 20 questions about how/why they don't want kids. Here's an example: My cousin, who is 21, last Christmas announced she was pregnant. Of course, automatically, everyone was like, "OH, that's wonderful! Congratulations!" and one of my aunts said wistfully, "A child is always a miracle" (which made me cringe, but that's for another topic). At any rate, I sat there, stunned, and was like, "Oh shit..." because I knew that she was in no way financially or mentally ready to be a mother, and that this pregnancy was not planned at all. Yeah, she's 21, but she's not mentally an adult. She's not childish or anything, but just...not mother material...not yet. She hadn't "lived" life...hadn't gotten out there to experience what a 21 year old likes to do. I know when *I* was 21, the last thing I wanted to do is have a baby (and this was before I knew the word "childfree" even existed).
I can only go by personal experiences jinx. I understand what you are saying about being scrutinized, but it's about
how to parent, and not
why become a parent.