Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Share Their Reasons For Never Wanting To Have Children

People Share Their Reasons For Never Wanting To Have Children
Image by Anthony Macchio from Pixabay

It takes a lot to have a child.


Make no mistake, choosing to have a child is one of the biggest decisions of your life. If it's something you've prepared/planed for, then a child could be everything you've wanted.

But it's not for everyone.

Reddit user, u/an_iconoclast, wanted to know why you never wish to procreate when they asked:

To those who NEVER want to have a child, what were your reasons?

There's nothing wrong with not wanting a child.

Let's rephrase that: there shouldn't be anything wrong with not wanting a child.

Speaking Truthfully

"... I can barely take care of a cat.

How do you think I would do with a child?"

TipsyNate

Brutal Honesty

"I was born this way. Have just never desired children. No particular reason."

tennesseewaltz

"Same. I can be forced to come up with logical reasons but the real reason is - I just don't want to."

amitnagpal1985

They Do Snatch Things Away

"I enjoy money and silence"

StinkFingerPete

"I enjoy the most valuable things in my life, which are time and freedom.

I would resent anything that takes that away SO MUCH..."

textonlysub

Birth Is A Whole Other Thing

"I don't want to go through birth, I don't like the baby stage, children and toddlers are fun and can be adorable but not 24/7, I like money and the piece of mind that I won't do anything to screw up their lives, everyone I have said I don't want kids to will say I told you so

And finally I'm not responsible or mature enough."

Ghostofmeow

Defying The System

"When I was younger, my mom would always tell me that I would become a housewife. I always thought, "but what about my career?" but she would brush it off and tell me that being a mother was the best thing in the world. Years later, I still stand by that. I have worked so hard in school, and I am not willing to give it up for a child. I just don't think I'm qualified to focus on a career and raise children. Additionally, I don't think I want to bring life into this world. The world is a cruel place, and I do not want my child suffering because I wanted to be a mother."

Julici0us

Best Excuses For Late Assignments That Were Actually True | George Takei’s Oh Myyy

No Trade-Off

"Well, I've spent practically all my life getting pushed and controlled by my parents. So, when I move out, I will never trade my peace and freedom at any cost."

Aggravating-Class419

Never Undone

"I've never seen myself having biological children, even as a child. I've just never wanted them and frankly, as I've heard it out before, having a child should be opt in, not opt out, since it is the ONE decision in life you cannot undo. Anything else? You can go back and change - careers, houses, cars, relationships (whether you are in one or not) - but you can't un-have a child. Not only that but I am working on getting over my own childhood. It's not fair to bring a child into my mess."

"If I ever have kids, I will probably adopt but that is also a loooooong conversation I would need to have with my future partner."

missninazenik

Some people think too hard about what comes next, which is a considerate move to make if they think they might want to bring a new life into this world. Your choices have consequences.

Thinking About Their Future Generations

"Too mentally ill from childhood trauma and have various auto immune diseases. Wouldn't be fair to have a child when I'm not completely present for them.

Love kids but not for me."

sheakat1997

This Is The Point Of No Return

"Once I'm a mom, I can never not be a mom. I like deciding what I can do whenever I want to without having to care for a child, I feel like a partner is already enough 'compromise' (for a lack of a better word) of free time. Have nothing against kids though! Just not for me :)"

SoybeanDestroyer

Looking For That Reasoning

"Imo, I should justify why I want kids instead of finding reasons why I don't want them.

In my case, I don't have a reason to want them."

Grapezard

"'I don't have a reason to want them.' Perfect answer for me."

bmcmullen123

Protecting Potential Brood

"I have health issues I don't want to pass down. Tried IVF and it failed. Can't afford another one. We are thinking of fostering but my husband isn't sure he wants to. I don't want to force him when already has a lot of anxiety. Also neither my husband or make a lot of money and daycare would be one the cost of one of our paychecks. Currently we need both to pay our bills."

Dogmom153

Of course, there could be something else behind the decision to not bring a child into this world.

Already Lived Through It Once

"As the eldest sibling in my family, I've already lived out my maternal dreams.

Mental and chronic illness runs in my family and I can't risk passing it along.

I don't want to put my body through pregnancy.

It's a lot of responsibility and I rather live for myself and all the other things I rather do in the world."

overthinkingdreamerx

Protect Yourself

"My body is very small in general, I'm short and thin, I can't imagine carrying the weight of a child. I have no intentions of giving birth, sounds stressful and painful as hell. Raising a kid could destroy my career and I would no longer be able to play games and do whatever I want in my free time, and I think the world will get worse, I wouldn't bring an innocent child to this reality."

topoloco1

How Many To List...?

"To sum it up:

- I like having my time and money to myself. Fancy sitting in bed late, drinking beer and ordering takeout? I can do that. Going out with friends at the drop of a hat with no worries? That too.

- My mental & physical health. Some issues are genetic in my family and I'd never wish that upon a child.

- This frankly isn't a world that I'd like to bring anybody into.

- I'm frankly quite selfish (I'd never, ever neglect a child however). I'd prefer the new clothes and games that I bought recently to a nappy / diaper bill.

I've just become an uncle so I totally understand how people can want a child, it's just mot for me personally."

Brainwrongs_

Know The Importance, And Significance, Of What You Choose To Do

"I understand the immense responsibility & sacrifice they are and choose instead to work on myself and continue to nurture my own experiences and growth through the one life I have."

_soch

"There's a difference between wanting a child, and wanting to be a parent. One makes you a kid sound like an accessory, the other makes you think of the responsibility"

Obvious-Cap1583

Never feel bad for making the choices you do. Trust your instincts, believe in your convictions, and know that whatever you decide on is grounded in your reason.

Some people are meant to raise children. Others are not. There's no problem with wanting to do either.

Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Actress and CEO of Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow, attends the 11th Breakthrough Prize ceremony on April 5, 2025
Michael Tran/Getty Images

Goop's Vagina Candle: Gwyneth Spills

Gwyneth Paltrow defended the controversial candle line that made headlines in 2020 after being named and marketed as “This Smells Like My Vagina.”

The exclusive and now sold-out candle was featured on Paltrow’s lifestyle brand Goop at a $75 value.

Keep ReadingShow less
Frank Bisignano
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Newly Sworn-In Trump Official Ripped After Admitting He Had To Google What His New Job Was

Frank Bisignano, President Donald Trump's new Commissioner of Social Security, was criticized after an audio recording revealed he'd admitted to staff he had to Google what his role would be.

Bisignano told Social Security managers during a national town hall on Wednesday that he hadn’t been pursuing a role in the Trump administration when he was approached about leading the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Keep ReadingShow less
Axl Rose
Harry Durrant/Getty Images

Guns N' Roses Just Hilariously Trolled Axl Rose With A Supercut Of Him Falling On Stage

Guns N' Roses: epic stage shows, staying power, songs that are key in rock history.

Founder and lead singer Axl Rose has been known for his energetic stage performances, even as the band’s members are getting up there in age. In a recent video posted to the band’s official Instagram, they decided to poke fun at their frontman with a compilations of shots of Axl falling mid-performance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jenna Bush Hager
TODAY with Jenna & Friends/YouTube

Jenna Bush Hager Shows Off Birthmark That Once Caused A Boyfriend To Break Up With Her

On Tuesday's edition of NBC's TODAY show's fourth hour program, TODAY with Jenna & Friends, host Jenna Bush Hager opened up about one of her insecurities about her body and what prompted it.

Speaking with TODAY show anchor Savannah Guthrie, the pair discussed a new fashion trend labeled "diaper shorts." Guthrie remarked Bush Hager was actually wearing shorts.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Trump Ripped Over Plan To Build $175 Billion 'Golden Dome' Defense System Over The U.S.

President Donald Trump was criticized after touting his plan to build a "Golden Dome" missile defense system over the United States to the tune of $175 billion despite all that talk about the importance of cutting federal spending.

The Golden Dome system is designed to combine ground- and space-based technologies to counter missile threats at all four critical phases: pre-launch, early flight, midcourse, and terminal descent. Its goal is to detect and neutralize threats before they can reach their targets.

Keep ReadingShow less