HOW is it selfish?

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Replies

  • Contrarian
    Contrarian Posts: 8,138 Member
    It's selfish for me to not have kids because I would be the greatest parent ever (I would even get a coffee mug which stated just that), and my children would be so wonderful and clever that looking at them with the naked eye would be dangerous, because of their brightness.

    Oh well. Sorry, Earth.

    I'm sending you a kid and a mug. Grats.

    I have to MAKE the kid. I'll cheerfully accept the mug, though.
  • AmberB519
    AmberB519 Posts: 336 Member
    Opinions are like @$$holes, everyone has one! Have children, don't have children. It's a personal choice and nobody's business :)
  • Boogage
    Boogage Posts: 739 Member
    Just tell them I've had your share. I've got five lol
  • bathsheba_c
    bathsheba_c Posts: 1,873 Member
    Who do we think gets the *****ier comments . . . the folks who decide to not have children, or the ones who have a higher than average number?
  • laprovocateur
    laprovocateur Posts: 128 Member
    for someone to NOT have children....?

    In my particular case, it seems more selfish for someone to have children knowing a) so many are without homes and families, b) i wouldn't be a very good parent, c) and the worst I've ever seen - "all my friends are having them, so I feel like it's time for me/us"

    Lucky me, I found a man who feels the same way. Before we met, he'd had a vasectomy and I opted for elective sterilization. Every time we encounter "the question", we just look at each other and smile. It's an individual and very personal decision, and we have embraced the opportunity to decide for ourselves - regardless of what anyone else thinks.
  • MichelleLaree13
    MichelleLaree13 Posts: 865 Member
    If the world had a shortage of children, it would be selfish. :flowerforyou:
  • Shara126
    Shara126 Posts: 144 Member
    I have been told that I am selfish for wanting another child. I have a beautiful little girl and two awesome step sons and I want another. People will say I am tempting fate by wanting to have another child because I already have three perfectly healthy children and if I have another they could have all sorts of birth defects or deformities. What kind of BS is that?? SMH some people are just judgmental, negative a&*holes.

    To have children or not is a personal choice. I don't fault any of my friends for not having children and they don't fault me for having them and wanting to expand my family further. Live and let live.
  • People always feel they can judge others for any/every reason under the sun.
    Having children and then devoting practically the next 18/20 years of life to them and their needs is definitely a personal choice and not something to be taken lightly if someone felt they wouldn't be able to fulfill this in the best possible way then it is totally unselfish of them to decide against it.
    Im sure people who decide not to have kids have their own reasons for this decision and Im certain that its not due to being selfish.
    It would be selfish to do it just for the sake of it (to prove a point or get the do gooders off your back) then realize that it was a BIGGGG mistake that would be selfish.
    Alot of people in this world are selfish and believe me they are not just the childless population.
    Everyone has the right to live his/her life in the way that suits them best and don't let anyone tell you otherwise :)
    BTW I have children. :)
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    I don't think selfish is the right word...I personally can't wrap my head around the lack of desire to have children. That being said, a friend of mine had a hysterectomy before having children. That having been said, it was HER choice...
  • Not selfish at all. I have a daughter and I love her to death..but having children is my personal choice becaue I want them. Not everyone wants to have kids..it's a personal choice..not left up to anyone else but yourself.
  • alisiaendris
    alisiaendris Posts: 213 Member
    First of all, as a early childhood teacher, trust me...NOT EVERYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN SHOULD HAVE CHILDREN. Personally, I feel that not everyone has that urge to reproduce and that is fine. To each their own. If you do not feel like you want children, then that is that. People who have kids and say you are being selfish, are most likely wishing they had either waited longer to have theirs or just want/need a break from parenthood and are jelous of your freedom! I have a friend who is excellent with my children, but does not have any of her own. She loves kids, but does not feel she wants any of her own. I respect that, and love the fact that when we get together she will "mother" my kids and give me a break! Other friends who do not have kids and are not good with kids, I just do not bring my kids when we hang out, and they respect that I will call and check in on them at least once during the time we are out.
    Some people are just soft in the head and do not realize that the choices they make differ from the choices that others desire to make.
  • MsJulielicious
    MsJulielicious Posts: 708 Member
    I guess I fail to understand why this would be up for debate with anyone other then your partner? It's no one else's business period.
  • Velum_cado
    Velum_cado Posts: 1,608 Member
    It isn't. Being selfish is putting your own needs and desires above the needs and desires of someone else. There isn't anyone else for you to be putting your needs and desires above, so by definition it's not selfish to not have kids. End of story.
  • Jongfaith
    Jongfaith Posts: 195
    Its not selfish but if you remember "misery loves company" They want to comiserate about their life gripes with ya and can not because you would not understand. All social pressures annoy me... Get married! Have children! blah balh blah
  • Katbody10
    Katbody10 Posts: 369 Member
    thats so annoying !!!! i hear that all the time!! glad I'm not the only one. i do not want to have kids... ever.... i think its exactly the opposite of being selfish!! the world sucks!! im not raising a kid in this F'd up place. I like my freedom, independance and money. Id rather travel the world with my partner and not be tied down. i guess that sounds selfish, but the alt ernative would be worse. i know i dont want to be a parent, so being forced into it just because, is stupid and selfish.

    hahaha . ... since when does having children mean you can't travel and have money? I have been traveling since I was 1 month old. I've traveled the whole world and continue to do so. My son was very well behaved . never cried, was quiet every time we flew. People were stunned to find out a child was sitting behind them on the plane! He was not allowed to touch anything in front of him .. no seat. I handled the tray .. once down .. once up. that's it.

    We travel at least 6 times a year internationally .. sitting in long haul flights up to 13-14 hours at a time. Yes .. he's 18 now and I don't have to worry.. but I will see and experience the world .. with my child. (Probably soon I won't be traveling as much with him as he's off to college now)

    I've.. no .. we've traveled the world over .. and I had no qualms in making arrangements to go off and have my adult fun on those travels. There's always something to do and experience and the kids don't have to be in your charge 24/7! There are things you can do to have them with you in country .. but not glued to your side. But .. they can learn proper manners and behavior in public when exposed to various conditions frequently and are taught what is expected of them!

    I think that's a bunch of hooey that you can't have fun and independence while having children .. I did everything with mine .. from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to ice hiking in the Canadian Rockies.. to traveling the through the Amazon and ruins of Belize. He was wonderful .. what a fantastic experience he's had.

    He was selected as a Student Ambassador at age 11 and got to travel to all kinds of places for 3-4 weeks at a time .. Japan, UK, Australia .. New Zealand and more.

    Don't knock having kids .. but I don't think it means you are selfish for NOT having them. Better that you don't.. I'd suspect you'd never bond and enjoy the wonder of the world through a child's eyes.. the innocent and beautiful .. with no understanding of politics and hypocritical notions.

    I don't think it's fair to bash either side .. having or not having children.. There are rotten kids in this world, some from rotten parents.. some just somehow born rotten. There are wonderful children as well .. no one is a cookie cutter example of what's right, wrong, selfish or unselfish

    :drinker:
  • SoViLicious
    SoViLicious Posts: 2,633 Member
    That is BS. If you don't want to have children it is your choice and right not too! I chose to have children, I don't think anyone is selfish for not wanting to take on the responsibility. The only people I personally do not interact with are those who hate children. Since i have kids, I would rather not be around those who vehemently swears they hate kids. Other than that, do what you want it is your life. Kids are a huge responsibility and they take up your life. I love mine, but sometimes I do think about the day where i did not have to keep two naughty little people alive.
  • slimforparis
    slimforparis Posts: 51 Member
    >people with opinions on your choice of childbearing should keep their mouths firmly shut.

    Yes! Yes! Yes! We human beans have evolved so we have the choice now whether to become parents or not - you're free to live your life as you wish - enjoy it - be happy.
  • bikinibeliever
    bikinibeliever Posts: 832 Member
    not any more selfish than having children. actually it could be less selfish if you have children and then are a crappy parent.



    ^^^^That there, exactly!
  • mooglysmom
    mooglysmom Posts: 319 Member
    Well, people can be dumb, and irritating, and want to project THEIR wants on you.

    I have two kids, boys. My oldest has a life threatening food allergy to dairy, he and I are both severely gluten intolerant, and he has Autism. Needless to say I have my hands full. But apparently I'm selfish because I won't have Another baby to try for a girl. Really?? You Can't make anyone happy but yourself.
  • It's not selfish!
    It's more selfish to bring a child into this world if you can't take care of them, don't want them, etc.
  • bonjour24
    bonjour24 Posts: 1,119 Member
    i never wanted kids. i told the world i was going to be barren forever, so never even ask me about it. nobody ever said anything and just assumed that i wasn't having kids. i was never called selfish by anyone. but then low and behold we had an oops. now i have 3 of the little buggers, and me and my hubs do a damn good job in caring for them and raising them to be thoughtful and caring little humans.
    on many levels it is probably more selfish to have kids than it is to not have them, especially for those people who want them for the welfare or who just weren't bright enough to not get pregnant (and can't look after themselves, let alone a dependent). but that's a political debate.
    wanting kids is like having a sweet tooth- you either want pudding or you don't. you can't be called selfish for either perspective. it just is what it is.
    tell whoever is calling you selfish to get effed- and plan your trouble free, exotic holiday to an adults only resort in front of them!
  • sixpackdream
    sixpackdream Posts: 55 Member
    With 7 billion people on a planet that would much more comfortably sustain 1 billion, we need more people who don't want children.

    It's selfish when people have children for reasons like keeping a marriage together, or so they will have someone when they get old, or so they will have someone that loves them. That's a lot to put on a child.

    I have many jealous friends because I can go and do what I want, when I want and they do call it selfish. I call it living :)

    They also ask me who is going to take care of me when I'm old. I laugh at them and say, I know your kids will love taking care of you and always be there for you ;) I will prefer to be around other 90 year olds when I'm 90, and my 90 year old friends are going to party with me like it's 1999!

    Note: I am not against other people having kids -lol.
  • mhcoss
    mhcoss Posts: 220
    Children are our future... It requires significant sacrifice to raise a child, a sacrifice someone else made for you so you can have your life now. Its a beautiful sacrifice.. giving yourself so someone else can have life. That is why people view it as selfish when you don't reciprocate that sacrifice when your time comes. I completely understand this point of view.. if everyone decided they didn't want kids the human race would cease to exist in one generation.

    With all that said.. I don't really want kids myself either.
  • leketchup
    leketchup Posts: 27 Member
    For the time being I chose not to have any children and girlfriend, I am busy in planing career, studying and looking forward for another studies. It also the work, training, and sleep for results, sure I have time to relax but that wouldn't be enough lets say for wife and kids. It's ok girl do what you have to do, nobody has right to judge you.
  • tequila09
    tequila09 Posts: 764 Member
    Its not. People are stupid.
  • angelams1019
    angelams1019 Posts: 1,102 Member
    Just curious....Why do people say its selfish for someone to not want kids? I've never heard that before and don't really understand...
  • HolsDoinIt
    HolsDoinIt Posts: 327 Member
    nope..its not selfish at all..to each its own...i get called things like that all the time because i dont have children...all of my siblings do and im the oldest...but i dont care...ill do it when im ready to and right now i see their struggles...not for me at this point in my life
  • angelams1019
    angelams1019 Posts: 1,102 Member
    Children are our future... It requires significant sacrifice to raise a child, a sacrifice someone else made for you so you can have your life now. Its a beautiful sacrifice.. giving yourself so someone else can have life. That is why people view it as selfish when you don't reciprocate that sacrifice when your time comes. I completely understand this point of view.. if everyone decided they didn't want kids the human race would cease to exist in one generation.

    With all that said.. I don't really want kids myself either.

    :laugh: Thats just silly.
  • It ain't selfish to me.

    I dislike those people judging childless couples.
  • Fit4_Life
    Fit4_Life Posts: 828 Member
    Some people want kids, so they can collect welfare, and that they don't have to work. I'd say, "Get your *kitten* out there and WORK!"