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There is a huge missing chunk of media/ spaces online/ books/ podcasts/ whatever for people who are childfree but don't hate children.
The "childfree but don't hate kids" demographic is just gonna get bigger as more young people opt out.
I feel like that would also be a more positive space for people who are working through the not always positive feelings of deciding to opt out.
I feel like that would also be a more positive space for people who are working through the not always positive feelings of deciding to opt out.
I'm also just tired to my very bones with childfree spaces/media still managing to focus so much on (their dislike of) children when there needs to be way more discussion of like, financial planning, developing other adult support systems, etc.
Also lots of childfree people contribute financially to the wellbeing of children and their families. There are lots of childfree aunts/uncles, godparents, teachers, pediatric doctors and therapists. Being childfree doesn't require being 0% on some Exposure To Children scale.
I also don't identify with the "world is too shitty to bring new kids into" decision profile for no kids.
We all in general need more perspective on how many ways there are to be a person, and remember our personal ideas of a "good life" can be very culturally limited.
We all in general need more perspective on how many ways there are to be a person, and remember our personal ideas of a "good life" can be very culturally limited.
Not to mention, many childfree spaces are extraordinarily fatphobic. It's nearly impossible to find childfree podcasts or forums without people talking gleefully about "not getting fat" as one of their perceived benefits of not having kids.
In general people who aren't having kids right now perceive themselves as way less at risk for unintended pregnancy than they actually are.
It's a desire to distance themselves from their fear that often involves labeling other people "stupid" or "sloppy" in their prevention.
It's a desire to distance themselves from their fear that often involves labeling other people "stupid" or "sloppy" in their prevention.
If you are childfree you may ever become pregnant and need to deal with what you want to do next. Stigmatizing unintended pregnancy won't help you find or get through an abortion. You may deal with the physical consequences of being pregnant that you deride, even temporarily.
A childfree personal politic based on dislike for pregnancy, children, parenting, the state of the present or future is well-represented and there is plenty of space for people most motivated by those things.
There is less space for positive, affirmative reasons to not have kids.
There is less space for positive, affirmative reasons to not have kids.
So I guess I'll try to be the change and start talking more about the positive reasons and alternative means to seek the same fulfillment as parents seek, how I'm putting that same energy and love somewhere different, rather than trying to avoid or not be who they are.
