The "No Kids Club" (Page 10)

I agree with you, i previously posted that "selfish" is the incorrect term to describe either decision, it is a personal choice.  I would never critizice anyone for having children, many people can not see their lifes complete without them.  I worked for many years in early childhood education and can see the joy that they can bring to a lot of people, but have also seem those that deserved better parents.

I am intrigued by your take on this.  I'd like to offer a differing point of view, speaking as someone who doesn't like kids but loves humanity.

I'm uncomfortable around kids.  I always have been.  I see and respect others who are so natural with them, but despite repeated attempts to try, I simply can't connect with children.  I don't understand them and have nothing in common with them.  I don't understand how to entertain them or what it is they're looking for.  Moreover, because they aren't my own, I'm really not interested in learning about their interests.  I'm an adult and they're a child.  Our worlds are completely different and there's no incentive for me to reconcile those differences.  In 20 years when that child is an adult and can hold conversations that we both might find interesting, then great!  But as long as their interests are shiny objects, sticking stuff in their mouths, the newest GI Joe or avoiding cooties from the opposite sex, I can't bring myself to "like" them. 

This does not make me a misanthrope.  I'm sure if I had my own child I would love it and learn to overcome all those things in the last paragraph.  But since I don't have children, or have any desire to have them, then it's a moot point. 

Thanks, but I don't want to talk to you if you dont' like dogs...

I was intrigued by Renee's post as well, and I could have written the response Andrew did. In fact, I wrote something almost identical a few pages back.

It's not like I'm going to kick your kids in the grocery store or roll my eyes and move seats in the airport. In fact, I am always smiling at kids and am more than patient when they are acting up in public (more out of sympathy for the parents).

I like plenty of people in this world, and I feel it was a bit too broad of a generalization to imply otherwise (of those who don't "like" kids).
 

I get creeped out when she smiles at me.

Shhh... it's my secret for getting them to move far away from me!

Just a tip: If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation with a kid talking about G.I. Joe, poor water on his head.  He will go away. (jk)

edit: left too many "quotes" in.  paragraph looked all funny and stuff.

This statement seems completely incongruous to me. Kids, especially young kids, are the purest form humans can take.

That's a subjective feeling you have.  Your use of the word purity doesn't really apply to my reasoning for why I don't like kids.  Loving humanity does not mean loving all humans. 

If I wasn't born to my parents I would have been born to another set of parents.  And, unfortunately, the population is not shrinking, so I would have been born at some point.

Yeah, you can snatch one up in your arms so much quicker and easier than an adult.

In a whole different level of thought and discussion, the chances of "you" being "you" are highly not probable, whether in the way one thinks of a "soul" or identity, determined by "uniqueness".
Okay, discussion is getting askewed.

That's beautiful and I fully concur.

I wrote that I am leery of people who don't like kids. Note that I did not say any of the following:

• I am leery of people who are uncomfortable around kids
• I am leery of people who don't want to talk to kids
• I am leery of people who don't want to be parents

If someone said "I don't like people" or "I don't like people younger than 35 years old" I would feel the same way. Misanthrope, by definition. Children are merely little people.

We all have our negative inclinations; I'm entitled to mine. Just as those who don't like little people are entitled to theirs.

Misanthropes are not my people. I'm a people person; I take them one at a time, just as I find them. That includes little people.

Sorry.  Lost.  What does this have to do with my decision not to have them?

My parents, god bless 'em, did a LOT of things I wouldn't do.

That's an interesting take. I believe just the opposite - if my mother didn't birth me, I wouldn't exist. Not anywhere. I am who I am because my mother birthed me.

Would I be okay with not existing? There would be no "I" that could consider the question of my lack of existence! Que sera, sera.

So, Dan, why do you believe you would still be around even if your mother hadn't birthed you? Asking merely out of curiosity. I hadn't heard this perspective before.

Whoa... My statement of being thankful that your parents had kids was directed at all of the not so positive statements about other people's kids throughout this thread.  Take a look around and be happy that we have this decision, and be thankful for the people that chose to have kids.  One day they will be taking care of you and running the nation etc...

O.K.  Let me have it...

Erm, I am paying into social security right now. So...IF for some odd reason, SS is still around and available by the time I get to an eligible age, I will have paid in my fair share. Your child will not be "paying" for me. I AM paying the taxes to support his school right now, though. ;-)

Renee, please understand that I'm not trying to attack your point of view, but instead am trying to undertand it and have a conversation.

Are there individual people in the world that you do not like?  Have met someone who for some reason annoyed you and left you feeling like you just wanted to get away from them?  If not, then you're truly a wonderful person for being so understand and accepting of others.

I love people/humanity, but there have been plenty of people I've met who I dislike for various reasons.  Kids, due to the traits that I've mentioned before, generally fall into that category.  They're little humans who are usually very annoying and whom I have nothing in common with.  I have met kids that I like, but they're a rare exception. 

Mistanthropes, by definition hate all people/humanity, not specific individuals for whom there is a reason for the dislike. 

The logic doesn't hold.

Adolf Hitler.  Idi Amin.  Pol Pot.  They were all children.  Simply being born does not a benefit to society make.