Kids poll, for ladies over 40 only

[Imua 0]

I wonder what childless/childree is supposed to mean?

It's a matter of attitude - 'childless' implies a lack in one's life and 'childfree' is an alternative term used by people who choose to not have children or who do not have children by circumstance, medical reasons, etc. and see the positive in their situation.

Oh, I see. One of those politically correct terms then. Kind of like saying 'pro-life' instead of 'anti-abortion' or 'pro-choice' instead of 'pro-abortion'.

If you have no children, it's really nobody elses business. For whatever reason.

If you couldn't or didn't have any (because of circumstance or medical reasons) and you are having trouble dealing with that, then calling it something 'nice' isn't going to change how you feel.

Calling yourself 'childfree' because you elected not to raise a family sounds smug and condescending, IMO.

And people who choose to have kids are never smug and condescending towards people who don't have kids, right???

[LaL 418]

I can see how the term childfree could be considered offensive, but couldn't childless also be considered the same? It indicates those who fall into that category as LESS of something, when in fact someone's life could be just as complete without them.

[rebeccajo 14]

I wonder what childless/childree is supposed to mean?

It's a matter of attitude - 'childless' implies a lack in one's life and 'childfree' is an alternative term used by people who choose to not have children or who do not have children by circumstance, medical reasons, etc. and see the positive in their situation.

Oh, I see. One of those politically correct terms then. Kind of like saying 'pro-life' instead of 'anti-abortion' or 'pro-choice' instead of 'pro-abortion'.

If you have no children, it's really nobody elses business. For whatever reason.

If you couldn't or didn't have any (because of circumstance or medical reasons) and you are having trouble dealing with that, then calling it something 'nice' isn't going to change how you feel.

Calling yourself 'childfree' because you elected not to raise a family sounds smug and condescending, IMO.

And people who choose to have kids are never smug and condescending towards people who don't have kids, right???

There you go again letting it bother you what people think.

I've got one child and I've had people tell me that's not a real family - that it takes more than one kid to really understand what parenting is all about.

I tell them to kiss my hind end. I think you need to learn to do the same.

[jodee 30]

40, and twin 15year olds here!

[LaL 418]

I wonder what childless/childree is supposed to mean?

It's a matter of attitude - 'childless' implies a lack in one's life and 'childfree' is an alternative term used by people who choose to not have children or who do not have children by circumstance, medical reasons, etc. and see the positive in their situation.

Oh, I see. One of those politically correct terms then. Kind of like saying 'pro-life' instead of 'anti-abortion' or 'pro-choice' instead of 'pro-abortion'.

If you have no children, it's really nobody elses business. For whatever reason.

If you couldn't or didn't have any (because of circumstance or medical reasons) and you are having trouble dealing with that, then calling it something 'nice' isn't going to change how you feel.

Calling yourself 'childfree' because you elected not to raise a family sounds smug and condescending, IMO.

And people who choose to have kids are never smug and condescending towards people who don't have kids, right???

There you go again letting it bother you what people think.

But! But! If the term childfree sounds smug and condescending to you - why does what someone chooses to call their lifestyle bother you, based on the suggestion above you provided to Pattu?