y mom says I told her at a very early age that I didn't want kids of my own. I've only had a few days of my life when I veered from that. When I was 31, my fiancé told me that there was absolutely no way he wanted to have kids. I immediately thought, ‘but what if I do?’ and it preoccupied my mind for the rest of the week. However, I soon confirmed that I still didn't want kids, and my brief stress was simply about wanting the decision to be mine, not anyone else's.
Aside from those few days, I've never doubted my choice, though other people do all the time. I've been told, ‘Oh, just have a baby—you'll love her when you meet her!’ and, ‘Don't you want someone to take care of you when you're old?’ These are not good reasons to bring human beings into the world. Nor are they conducive to raising children to be happy, healthy, and responsible members of society.
While some people look at me pityingly, I am thrilled with my life and my decision not to have children. I have choices so many of my friends and acquaintances don’t, because I don't have the financial and time obligations that result from having children. People say I’m selfish, but how is it selfish to not bring children into a world which already has plenty?" —Johanna R., 46