Poll: How do you feel about children?

[Jumpingbean3]

Some of them are alright but most of them just annoy the hell out of me. I'm even annoyed by my own child self for being so bloody stupid.

 

[P0RTAL]

I bring this subject up because... well... I have a very strong and resolute opinion about children. One that almost always gets a glare or a reprimand from the older generations.

I don't like children. They grate on my nerves. I don't find them cute. Hell, I don't even find babies cute. With their wrinkly skin, under developed limbs, over sized heads and eyes they are freaky to me like little pink aliens. With the world population about to hit 7 billion I don't even see the point of children now. Thankfully my girlfriend feels even more strongly about this than I do. I'm certainly not the only one who feels this way. As nations develop their birth rates plunge as people are relieved of the social and religious pressure to pump out as many babies as possible. When given a choice free of pressures, many people choose to have fewer or no children at all.

My opinion goes against very set, and seldom questioned societal standards of children=happiness have lots of them. I get the "You're a monster!" look, particularly from older generations when I voice that I dislike children and will never have one.

"You're not going have children? You're selfish!"
It's my life, I can do with it as I please. I don't think it's even possible to be selfish against someone that doesn't even exist yet. If it means having more free time, freedom, and money then by golly call me selfish. Hell! Call me every name in the book of it makes ya feel better!

"So I guess you hated yourself when you were a child then eh?"
I never liked children, even when I was a child. I no longer like eating ice cream until I vomit, hiding under the sink, or watching Sailor Moon. People change as they get older. Why do I have to love something because I was once one of them? (Off topic. I use to LOVE Sailor Moon. But now I can't sit through 10 minutes of it without weeping "Why!? Why did I ever like this show!?")

"You're only seeing the bad stuff about it. You're missing out on all the love, attention, etc etc children can give you."
That's what I have a dog for.

Urgh I don't like children. They aren't all that cute and they think that they are entitled to everything. People always talk about how innocent children are but children are not innocent. It's not all their fault but at that point they haven't really developed any morals. My friend always looks at me in horror and says that I'm overly-cynical when I say I don't like kids.

 

[infinity_turtles]

Eh, I like kids... in a certain age range, provided I don't have any good reason to have to play extra nice. I get along with kids eight to twelve pretty well, except when I have to start being mindful of not pissing off their parents. Younger then that and they have too much energy with too little intelligence, older and well, god-damned teenagers. There's exceptions to this, both in the age range and out of it, but I find it's true in most cases.

That said, I think a decent amount of the hate of children a lot of people have stems from the social pressure to coddle them whenever they're encountered. Not to say anyone in this thread hates them because of that, but that's been the case with a number of people I've known. Don't blame anyone for it either, because hell knows I hate having to deal with any kid while their doting parents are right there.

 

[Nigh Invulnerable]

I've got a 3 month old son now, so I find it very hard to hate children. Even before we had a kiddo, I always liked working with kids. Generally, I was teaching kids around age 10 at church and with an improv group. I can completely understand why some people loath kids though.

A solution for people who don't like kids: don't have them. You may still have to deal with other peoples' kids, but hopefully they're usually easy to avoid.

 

[Paksenarrion]

They are newborn adults, trying to figure out the world in which they were thrust into. What are the rules? What are the consequences? Why do I have to do what everyone else does? Who can I trust? Why can't I just do anything I want?

 

[Azurian]

At one point in my life I would was thinking about having a kid a little mini me to carry on the name. But nowadays it seems your not allowed to raise your kid in your own way. Which is why I hate most kids today the little bastards. Not to mention the world is just waay more screwed up than it used to be.

 

[Dags90]

They're fun, a bit taxing at times. I won't hold an infant or newborn though, I don't think they come with good warranties. I'm not really planning on having any of my own though, too much responsibility.

 

[Necromancer1991]

I prefer being an uncle, all of the fun none of the clean up....I just noticed how wrong that sounds......yeah, anyway I do like them.

 

[Tdc2182]

I'm a kid person.

I volunteer at the Ronald McDonald house and I tend to donate whenever I can when kids are involved. I love em.

Especially when they are babies and I don't have to raise them.

If they are twelve and own an Xbox, I despise them with a passion.

Edit: I think it's worth mentioning that I'm a little cautious on if I want to actually make a kid.

There is plenty of children in the world without parents, I don't think I could see myself bringing another one in.

 

[Tdc2182]

I prefer being an uncle, all of the fun none of the clean up....I just noticed how wrong that sounds......yeah, anyway I do like them.

Exactly like this without the hidden sexual innuendo.

 

[Aethren]

I tend to ignore em. Like dogs, I'll pet one that gets my attention, but generally I'll leave em alone.

 

[Aleate]

About a year ago I probably would have said different, but lately I've come to really hate the little shits (pardon my french). I've been working at a fast food place lately, and by god those things are the most annoying creatures in the universe! They distract, feel the need to repeat anything they say an upwards of 15+ times, always leave a mess and/or throw up, and they are so loud that people can hear them from across the freeway!
...Okay sorry I'm done.

 

[Brutal Peanut]

To be honest, I dislike certain types of parents more then kids. Every conversation is about their kids, everything eventually leads back to their kids. You could be talking about the situation in Libya and the next thing out of their mouth is, "Oh that reminds me, ______ said the cutest thing yesterday. I recorded it, and made him/her pose for 100 pictures in one sitting. See!?". Any gushy, weepy, 'my-kid-is-the-reincarnation-of-Jesus-AND-Einstein' parent, makes me want to claw at my own face.

I know not all kids are life-sucking,happiness-killing, constantly screeching, poop machines. Some are quiet, nice, and can sit down and behave themselves. Some even manage to say something clever every once in awhile - but from what I've seen; there are too few of those around. It seems like some of these parents are REALLY trying hard to build up how awesome having kids is, and how happy it will make you. Makes me wonder if they are trying to convince me or themselves, that it's still a great idea.

Since we've found out that it would be pretty difficult for me and it's likely not going to happen ; everyone in my family and my husbands circle of friends, keeps asking when we are going to try and conceive with medical help. No thanks, says I. I'd rather get another dachshund. They are much cleaner, less expensive, and they will always love me unconditionally. If I wanted something around the house that acted like an asshole and treated me like a slave, I'd get a cat. (Just kiddin' cat lovers....OR AM I? )

 

[ClassicJokester]

I feel that they go well with a nice worcestershire, or maybe an A-1.

. . .

What?

I find kids pretty cool, I guess. I find it odd that people "hate" them, because, y'know, what the hell. How is a baby or toddler supposed to know better? If anything, hate the parents. But I just find hate for other people a frightening concept, so that might be part of my view.

Babies aren't really my thing, and toddlers are mostly funny to watch, but I love most kids once they get to about 5 or 6, and can verbalize fairly well. You get some awesome questions out of kids when they start wanting to know how EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD works. I've seen adults become speechless due to a child's question about why our society works.

 

[Ham_authority95]

It's a case-by-case thing with me. Sometimes they're entertaining and sometimes I want to kill myself around them.

I'm waiting 30 years to decide to have one or not regardless of my feelings.

 

[DracheX]

"You're only seeing the bad stuff about it. You're missing out on all the love, attention, etc etc children can give you."
That's what I have a dog for.

Tell us how you feel when your dog graduates, gets its first job, and gets married.

I probably shouldnt be typing that since I dislike children, but I couldn't resist.

 

[GenericAmerican]

I hate babies, they are very needy

 

[thethingthatlurks]

To be honest, I dislike certain types of parents more then kids. Every conversation is about their kids, everything eventually leads back to their kids. You could be talking about the situation in Libya and the next thing out of their mouth is, "Oh that reminds me, ______ said the cutest thing yesterday. I recorded it, and made him/her pose for 100 pictures in one sitting. See!?". Any gushy, weepy, 'my-kid-is-the-reincarnation-of-Jesus-AND-Einstein' parent, makes me want to claw at my own face.

I know not all kids are life-sucking,happiness-killing, constantly screeching, poop machines. Some are quiet, nice, and can sit down and behave themselves. Some even manage to say something clever every once in awhile - but from what I've seen; there are too few of those around. It seems like some of these parents are REALLY trying hard to build up how awesome having kids is, and how happy it will make you. Makes me wonder if they are trying to convince me or themselves, that it's still a great idea.

Since we've found out that it would be pretty difficult for me and it's likely not going to happen ; everyone in my family and my husbands circle of friends, keeps asking when we are going to try and conceive with medical help. No thanks, says I. I'd rather get another dachshund. They are much cleaner, less expensive, and they will always love me unconditionally. If I wanted something around the house that acted like an asshole and treated me like a slave, I'd get a cat. (Just kiddin' cat lovers....OR AM I? )

What you're describing just reeks of denial. I imagine having a child is similar to having a tattoo. Sure, the first few months are awesome, and you get to show it off. Then you suddenly realize what a stupid idea getting this thing was, but you can't remove it without paying a hefty price. So you just try to convince others how great it is, and by doing so yourself. So there you have it.

PS: cats don't treat people like slaves. They just plot their murder...