To think all of these people can afford children they just don't want them

I think the first two cases would struggle financially actually. Deciding to adopt children that are past the childcare stage is fantastically naive, I hope they're disabused of the notion that that would be an easy option.

It’s not really, I adopted two children who were past the pre-school childcare years. No it’s not an easy option - adoption isn’t in any circumstances - but part of the process is thinking about the age/stage of children you want to adopt. There’s a lot to be said for adopting early primary aged children.

Who says kids would care for the elderly anyway, plenty wouldn't want to care for their own parents. I didn't have a large family to have carers in my old age. I have told them Lrefuse to be a burden.They know that one day they will get the call, mum carried out her plan. I want them to be free to live their lives as they wish.

There’s a choice between not being able to afford children and not being able to give them a childhood you would like.

The man earning £53k in london probably could afford kids but it wouldn’t be a nice existence for parents or child. Assuming they are putting 5% into a pension and have a student loan the take home is around 3k.

Average rent in London is 1.5k to 2k then adding 1.5k to 2k for nursery costs…..that’s more than his take home? I think partner was on 22k which will be around 1.6k. So total take home 4.6k with just rent and childcare costs at 3-4K not including bills, council tax, travel costs to work.

I love my kids, just don't like other peoples kids and certainly not interested in them.
It's nobody else's business if a person doesn't want kids, peeps need to keep beaks out and stop judging.

Same as the men who don't want to get married and live with someone for 10 years. Next thing you know, they've dumped their DP and are walking down the aisle within 6 months.

Well yes, they can afford kids but it would mean not spending on something which matters more to them.

Which means they want holidays/hobbies/cars whatever more than kids. Good for them in realising it. They don't have to have kids if they don't want to.

I'm not bothered on an individual level, but on a societal level, the lack of a future generation to care for us elderly and complete basic economic workforce tasks is very worrying.

I have 3 and soon to be 4. It’s my priority. I am willing to sacrifice holidays and time to myself for this reason. Not everyone wants to do that but you don’t understand why that’s weird? It is no different to someone spending money on holidays over a fancy car.

having children is a huge responsibility and some people just don’t want to take that on. I have friends who could more than afford 2+ kids but they don’t want them. There is nothing wrong with that.

I have much more issue with people that having children in a blazé way and fail to raise them well

I never believe men when they say they don’t want kids. They mean they don’t want kids with their current partners. I’m sure if they met someone else they’d be married with kids within a year.

I think the first two cases would struggle financially actually. Deciding to adopt children that are past the childcare stage is fantastically naive, I hope they're disabused of the notion that that would be an easy option.

The others sounded more like choices, and reproductive choices are never a bad thing.

I suppose it matters if the government decides babies being born is important, decides its all about costs so focuses on that, but it's actually all about other things.

Don’t want to compromise on the avocados.

We can afford kids, but I have absolutely zero desire to ever have any.

My life is perfect just the way it is.

And? Are you upset that people don't want kids? It really doesn't look appealing in any way ...

None of the people in the article are not wanting to compromise on their current lifestyles.

Some people just don't like kids, and don't want them. Nothing to do with money are not wanting to compromise on anything.

They feel they can’t afford to give themselves and a child the sort of lifestyle and upbringing they think it deserves. And I think it’s preferable that more people spend time actively thinking about whether they’re in a good position to have a child than just pop one out assuming it’ll all come good, when we know it often doesn’t.

We can afford kids, we don't want to have any. Not sure why it would bother anyone else 🤷‍♀️

I did think that at least one of them just didn't sound like they wanted kids, although that bit was presented as an afterthought when I think it's most likely the main reason! I don't think 33yo men who actually do want children are being sterilised because they think they won't ever be able to afford them.

So what?