boring unfunny post alert
Reading through a lot of the posts here of the "kids vs. no-kids" ilk, and the quite heated responses generated, I think a lot of the problem can be traced to what I like think of as one of the fundamental problems with humans:

Deep down, most people don't honestly believe that other people don't really agree with them.

Really. People say things like "each to their own" and "I respect your point of view" and "it'd be boring if we all thought the same" but when you investigate, it's a very uncommon person who doesn't, secretly, maybe not even consciously, but nevertheless really, *really*, think that everyone must think like them, because they are so obviously right, yeah?

Oh yeah, they may *say* they don't agree with me, but they: are just being awkward / They just don't know their own mind / are afraid to admit it to themselves / have been brainwashed by the media / are being politically correct.

This is true of all things, but most obvious when applied to topics that produce the most emotive responses - children, religion, art, politics.

Honestly - for all they say about respect and tolerance, most religious types still have deep inside them a little voice saying:

"...but if *everyone* was a Christian/Mulsim/FSMist like me, everyone would be happy and everything would be better!"

Equally, most racists you talk to often think that masses of people must agree with them, really, but are afraid to say so. S'obvious, innit? Stands to reason. Etc.

The problem with breeders vs. therest is pretty similar to god-bothers vs. heathens and all the others, except for some reason when it comes to conversation about kids those incapable of using contraception inexplicably have license to basically insult those they disagree with in a way that is unlike any other debate (I'm talking in real-life here, not online, obviously, where any insults are fair game.)

You know, things like "you say you don't want kids, but you do really"

or "you don't mean that, you're just saying it"

or "but look at how cute they are! How could you not want some?"

So, people who don't like kids are either a) mentally unstable, b) liars, or c) somehow less human?

I would imagine most worshippers would get irate if you walked up to them and told them they didn't believe in God, really, or that they would "change their mind when they get older".

I'm not really sure where I'm going with this, I just felt like saying it. Luckily, no-one is going to read it, so that's ok.

To sum up, I'm trying to say: You lot with kids - we're not stopping you in any way, so maybe you might like to tone it down a bit, eh? Maybe, just maybe, some of us actually don't, you know, like children very much, so you could, just for a bit, you know, cut back with the smug?

To bastardise TP, just because you now have a label that says "Parent" doesn't mean the rest of us have one that now says "child".

than q.
(TheUnlightableBarenessOfMeat is ambivalent about Marmite., Tue 22 Apr 2008, 13:56, 8 replies)

I agree generally
there are exceptions though -Tourette's is fully understanding of my reasons for not wanting kids, i.e. that I just wouldn't be very good at it and doesn't shun me as some kind of socially abnomal pariah.

People not wanting kids is all part of the process of keeping the population down, along with infertility and natural disasters. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be working very well.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Tue 22 Apr 2008, 14:21, closed)

well said.
i get this all the time from family and friends. i'm 34 this year and i still don't want kids. i really think i'm getting past the point where i might change my mind. i don't even like taking responsibility for myself, never mind some squalling, puking bundle of pink noise. i'm an auntie and a damn good one at that, but the best point about being an auntie is that i get to spend time with my nieces and nephews WHEN I CHOOSE TO and can then GIVE THEM BACK.
i don't dislike children as such, i just like my own space and peace and quiet a lot more.

btw, nice pratchetting
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Tue 22 Apr 2008, 14:27, closed)

Despite not having kids, and not wanting kids, but still liking kids.
We always try to park in the 'Mother and Toddler' bit at Tescos, just to piss off a random human that may have them.
( Brandy_Bumwinkle, Tue 22 Apr 2008, 14:45, closed)

^ *Coughs meaningfully*
Use a spacker space instead - there are always millions of empty ones. Put on a limp if you have to.

I don't mind walking a bit further being all manly and that, but when the Mrs has two demonspawn in tow, it's a pain in the tits to see some noncebucket in a BMW take a sprog-space because he's a management consultant or photocopier salesman and his time is really that precious.
(osok Rebel without a clue, Tue 22 Apr 2008, 14:52, closed)

...
im not a fan of the people who take the kids bays...

trust me theres nout worse than trying to get your kids in or out of the car on a windy day... it always leads to dorrs hitting doors, all becuase a Jeep or somthing has parked next to you almost diagonally leaving a narrow triangle of space down one side of the car to get your kids into the car.
(Dan dan dan They tik urh jerbs!!!, Tue 22 Apr 2008, 15:09, closed)

No, don't take a spacker space. ):<
People in wheelchairs actually need that extra space, or they can't get out of the frigging car. It's not a matter of convenience as it is for you.
( Bob Todd whee, Tue 22 Apr 2008, 17:02, closed)

Percentage of Blue Badge Holders In Wheelchairs?
Rather low.

Percentage with restricted mobility, or more likely a left at home relative with restricted mobility, lots.

(Sorry to sound cynical, but I'm a Motability dealer and supply cars to 'em)

Anyhoo, the supermarkets always put lots of disabled spaces in because they're terrified of the publicity should a genuine raspberry get stuck. The sprog-spaces evolved (a) to look good and (b) to stop doors getting dinged and the owners brawling in the car park. Unfortunately they're usually in token amounts as they take up more room. Plus it is physically extremely difficult to get a baby carrier or squirming toddler out without denting the next vehicle, so for some people they are very much a necessity if they don't want to cause damage or drop their child on to the cold hard hurty concrete. I don't need them as I am all manly.


PS. I might not have been serious
(osok Rebel without a clue, Tue 22 Apr 2008, 17:16, closed)

.
I like mother and child spaces, you're welcome to them I like my doors without dents in ta. I always park away from the entrance but near a trolley park...far easier.
(cmouse is pondering about life in other jobs, Wed 23 Apr 2008, 8:46, closed)