Climate change and not having kids

My two DC are pretty adamant that they will not be having children. There are lots of valid reasons, and I totally agree with them.

I am early 30s. Most of my friends don’t w at them due to climate change or cost. The ones that do will just have one due to cost.

I’m childfree (and infertile, anyway) for other reasons, but climate change is one of the reasons I’m glad I don’t have kids. I’d be bloody terrified of what their life (and their kids’ lives) would be like.

I don’t know how widespread this view is and it may be that she’s trying to present things this way as she suspects that any other reason put forward would be interrogated (as generally is the case, in my experience). But I don’t think she’s wrong to feel as she does - far from it.

I think spouting the whole climate change issue is just an excuse TBH because she doesn't want to say she doesn't want them for no other reason than she doesn't actually want them

It’s their choice. I always think you shouldn’t have DC lightly anyway so whatever reason might be a ‘no go’ for you is valid in the big scheme of things. Childfree people lead just as happy and fulfilling lives as parents do.

As others have said, the decision to have children should be based on your personal desire to do so. I would hate to see anyone feeling like they shouldn't because of environmental reasons, if they desperately wanted a family. Equally, I sometimes think people have kids because they feel they should/society and family expectations etc, and I do think the world would be a better place if only those who truly wanted children (and all the work that comes with raising them) did so.

Either way, I think its probably best to leave DS and his partner to make the decision themselves. I can understand your concerns, but I think you risk imposing your view and making them feel they have to explain themselves to you when really it is a decision for them and them only.

I’m childfree, principally because I don’t like children at all, but always find it curious that people don’t seem to think climate change is a “good enough” reason to remain so. Sure, maybe excellent technology will come about the planet will get sorted out and it’ll all be hunky dory. Or, maybe it won’t and your children will end up literally fighting for water to drink and food to eat. And, if disabled and not able to fight for themselves, on the scrap heap. It sounds like a big chance to take, to put children you supposedly love at risk of potentially having to live like that. Doesn’t sound that loving. If your DS and his wife have a perfectly fulfilling life otherwise, why would they add the worry and hassle?

'Attack' is a rather hyperbolic choice of words, calm down . I just mean that if someone is willing to give up children not because it's what they genuinely do not want but because of a reason that is actually contested and pretty unpredictable, then yes this is a really sad state of affairs. Some people are righteous on this issue, believing that they will be seen as virtuous and good for making the decision. Hopefully it's not righteousness and if it isn't then this is a genuinely really sad reason this couple . I mean this genuinely,

My kids are teens and I am not counting on any grandchildren I am already v concerned about whether they will have much quality of life due to climate change. My husband was totally anti more than two for environmental reasons.

I do think things are going to get a lot worse more quickly than we thought. The fact she works in sustainability is very telling - all the indicators are flashing red right now and every thing is tipping a lot more quickly than even climate scientists thought. She is being very logical - of course having kids is also emotional so people will continue to have kids no matter how horrible the environment is

🙄 silly and righteous? What a lovely attack on someone, realistically any reason for not having DC is valid, just because you can't fathom people giving up "even 1 child" doesn't mean other people feel the same.

His partner works in a role where she's probably exposed to an awful lot of things that show the impact of a harsher world for children, I can definitely imagine that having a huge impact on her reasoning.

I'm 30, no DC yet (not by choice!) but neither of my siblings want children for similar reasons to your sons partner, several of my friends don't either for that reason or financial reasons.

I find this really sad. That people would give up having even just 1 child for this. Either this or the girl is just being silly and righteous

Not having kids. Climate Change is one factor, for sure. But not the only one.

And yet there are threads on here with women merrily planning to ttc their third
or even fourth child. Deluded

Different for me because I wasn't that bothered about having kids at all but I am often grateful for that because I'd fear their future lives would be so hard, with climate and with the impact I suspect that will have in society.

I’m early 30s, don’t have children and don’t want them, most of my friends are the same, however not being able to afford them is a far more common reason in my peer group (nearly all of whom are university educated with good/decently paying jobs) than climate change

It's a personal choice and everyone should do what they think is right.

I do personally think though people that desperately want kids but don't because of climate change/overpopulation/nuclear threat etc are making a mistake because who knows what will happen in the future. I'd hate to get to 80 and realise that it would've been fine!

People who aren't that bothered either way though, fair enough.

Is it just climate change for your DS’s partner, or does she not want kids full stop?