I saw a sign on a car yesterday that stated "Proud to be child free". They also had another couple of signs on the car stating that they were happy to be childless and were not planning on having children. They even had an information pamphlet about it taped to a window. All of this boggled my mind a bit.
I totally respect people's choices in regards to children: to have them or not to have them. Personally, I'm pro-children, but that's really still in the workshop phase, where one piece out of place could mean a change of mind. I think I was always predisposed to having children because I'm naturally quite nurturing and affectionate, and I love mini things, so why not? lol Yes, I know there is more to raising children, like stinky nappies, lovely shoulder vomit, and nights of crying, from both child and parent.
I think your decision on child bearing is also determined by your partner. Wanting the baby of the one you love, and such. Or seeing great qualities in your partner, that you can imagine in an offspring. Or even imagining your partner as a parent. Those could all bring on an unknown, latent desire for a child.
The signs yesterday, have me a tad confused, and not because I think everybody should want children, but because it seems people are "celebrating" being child free as if they struck it lucky, dodged a bullet, or weren't drafted to the great world war of parenting. Is it really a great "achievement" to NOT be a parent? Is there much work involved in NOT conceiving and raising a child?
I realise that there is societal peer pressure involved when it comes to having children, and it is somewhat expected, but c'mon, really? Just say no, and if people don't understand your choice to not have children, then they're not worth having in your life anyway, so where would the peer pressure be? WHERE?! WHO ARE YOU GETTING IT FROM?!
In a world where more and more people are choosing to not have children, why would their be some sort of pat on the back system, as if you've conquered Everest? You have just chosen to not have children.
So I'm confused. Support groups for childless peoples/couples? Great! Celebrating and patting yourself on the back about not being tricked into parenthood? A tad strange in my book.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think it's mildly strange, or can you offer some other point of view I may have actually missed out on this one? Do you want children? If so, why? Was there a point where you realised that you definitely want children? And if you don't, why not? No judgment, just totally and utterly curious :)