Boy am I glad someone has a thread about this as there's very little outlets for me to share my strong feelings on this. I remember being different as a child/ early teen and I'd venture to say that I knew I didn't want kids since I was around 12-13. I would have to be around them sometimes in church as a nursery helper and I was extremely awkward and had to ask my parents how to play with and relate to the kids ( most of that might be because I'm an only child though) but I just remember feeling really weird. As my friends would talk about wanting x number of kids when we got older, it's never something I wanted and as I got older I only experienced this feeling more and more.
I'm 28 now and it's literally been a decision that didn't even really have to be one if that makes sense because my mind has been so made up for years, knowing that it just was NOT me and that I don't have a maternal instinct ( but dogs are another story!) and I just don't know how or what people see in children that makes them want it so so badly ( no offense to anyone at all) these are my own opinions and feelings ( which are probably pretty weird to some). A lot of that is also because I had a horrible relationship with my own mom and she started being emotionally and sometimes physically abusive and that's the only way I've known her for the past 10 years.
All of this to say, you can be ANYONE from any background and just not have the need to have kids and know that you just don't want them. The other posts here have showed that, it's just a feeling one gets and a choice one makes that's completely fair and should be respected by all instead of questioned and frowned upon. IMO if someone knows they DON'T want kids, I think that's super responsible and shows a lot about you as a person because you didn't just do what's the societal norm. I know far too many people who I know've just had kids because they think it's just what they need to do, but they end up being horrible parents. Why do something if your heart's not in it?
Some of the best mothers I know and respect are those that waited a good long time before having one as they wanted to make sure their lives were the most stable and ready, and as such, they're raising really respectful and kind kids which is rare to see this day and age.
I'm just sick of the questions, and people like " soooo.... when are you having kids".. OH PISS OFF. It's just not your business; why does it make a difference to you if I'M having a baby or not? It's just so rude for multiple reasons. It's a very personal thing and it can really hurt people who are trying but can't, but it just ticks me off and makes me want to tell them that it's fine to not want them and that I'm living my own life that I really enjoy without them.
I completely agree that no one has the right to ask the reasons why you don't want them,but it's something I've had to explain so many times in my life and they just nod and act understanding and then go " well.. you're young, you have all the time in the world to change your mind". Righty-o, Susan, I'm sure I will!!