To think it's unacceptable to say you don't like children?

YABVU people are entitled to not like something. I have one child who I adore and they are my world, but aside from them, I don’t like children, any other children.

It’s a very cultural thing mostly American and English . Seems to be a fashion trend that goes hand in hand with women deciding not to have children ( which is fine ) . The thing is as you say , children are a massive part of society , I grew up in south Europe where children are seen as fundamental and as the ones to be the most protected , example is children are given seats in public transport , parents with children have priority checkout in shopping etc .
When I moved to the uk 25 years ago I was in shock at how children are seen as a burden almost . Can’t go out after a certain hour , can’t accompany parents to appointments etc .
For me children are the must vulnerable abd tte most important in any society .

Are you the OP that was posting about her loud children, screaming and disturbing her neighbour?

Who is saying this post is about Childfree people? Op didn’t mention that. Plenty of parents don’t like other people’s children.

But why do you care? It doesn’t affect your life whatsoever. Would you feel the same way if someone said they don’t like birds? Or red cars? Other people’s opinions do not invalidated your choices if you have children?

Thing is it's fine to not like something or not enjoy them. Children are really only interesting to their own family. No one is saying that they want them to come to any harm or anything.

My boss has chosen to be child free, she doesn't like children and says it often. It doesn't offend me at all. I have children. I know what she means and I understand why she goes on adult only holidays etc.

Why is this so hard to understand?
The people saying they don't like children aren't anti children or discriminating against them. they just dislike them as a group due to them being loud, annoying etc. but I'm sure even they like some specific children!

Of course it’s acceptable. It’s their opinion. You can’t control it. Same as someone saying they don’t like pets. Why you offended by people saying they don’t like children? It dies not affect you or invalid your life choices whatsoever.

I wouldn't find it unacceptable if someone said it to me.🤷‍♀️. Most times, I'd agree with and contribute to their very reasonable points.

YABU @BirdPlanet.

I have 3 kids. I’m so over kids 😂

@Ilovelurchers Depending on how we define "child", there could even potentially be people on here reading this thread - I am sure some kids occasionally come across the forum

Depending on how we define child? Seriously?.
I assume small children won't be scrolling Mumsnet. I'd be surprised if teenagers are.

If you reach any further you may touch the moon.

Mumsnet is bonkers sometimes

Not hatred! Surely it's fine to not like/not enjoy something? If it helps I'm sure people who don't like children also dislike other groups of people (groups of chavs, football fans etc)

I don’t like children, so what? doesn’t mean I’d treat any of them badly or act like the child catcher. I just prefer not to be around them, big deal. It’s perfectly acceptable to hold an opinion that doesn’t match yours.

The people hopping on here to say they, too, don't like children - you are not really engaging with OP's argument.

Do you consider you would also be well within your rights to state that you didn't like old people, or you didn't like black people or gay men or whatever? You would not have a problem with somebody making statements like this?

Because children are a diçerse group of people linked by one characteristic. None of you are explaining why you believe you are entitled to stereotype them and speak of them disparagingly......

Depending on how we define "child", there could even potentially be people on here reading this thread - I am sure some kids occasionally come across the forum. So you are fine, genuinely, with them reading an expression of your hatred towards them?

It is weird, as well as quite wrong. I work with kids and know absolutely loads who don't fit any of the stereotypes being aired on here - plenty who are calm, quiet, helpful and predictable in their conduct.

Of course people could say they don’t like children. Children can be annoying and quite difficult for people to relate to. FWIW I like children and work as high school teacher so spend my days around them but I have allowed my DS9 to have play dates etc and more that one 7/8/9 year old is HARD WORK! For me personally as well, I’m not too keen on babies, they’re cute and all but I’m not someone who would ever want to just hold someone’s baby unless they need to me to, to help out.

@OneWildBee I've actually missed a few posts and I think my comment was in response to someone else's post. I do apologise for responding in haste. We do a really agree . I feel a bit silly now

So what was the difference between our two statements, huh? They were exactly the same, which somewhat vindicates my argument.

Again, you’re not listening to anything I am saying. Yes, it IS like saying ‘I hate old people’ or ‘I hate women’ or ‘I hate a person with this particular characteristic’ and I am asking about where you draw the line to vocalising that in certain situations. If you have nothing to comment upon the VOCALISATION of these views, then go take your argument to someone else because you’ve shared your opinion with me, it wasn’t what I was asking about in the slightest. So thank you for sharing it, but it is irrelevant to my point.

Saying 'i don't like kids' is pretty much the same as saying ' I don't like adults/people'

It is in no way comparable to : I don't like jewish/disabled/gay/. Children / adults.

Hatred for vulnerable groups? Give your head a wobble

Kids can’t do anything about being kids either, they might be absolute arseholes but their age is irrelevant.

Now YOU come up with a better argument, eh? Because why is what about what you have said about people with red hair different to what I have said about kids, hm?

My point, which was to another poster originally, was about vocalising your feelings publicly and where you draw the line. I am asking then about the practice of vocalising dislike for certain groups. You have jumped on this and are missing the point that I am actually making.

@OneWildBee No, we’re talking about people who say ‘O don’t like kids’, none of the caveats you’ve invented - you can’t just make up they don’t mean xyz ones, the OP is literally referring to the generalisation of ‘I don’t like kids’.
So I’m asking that poster who keeps saying it’s an opinion to dislike a particular societal group where the line is? How do you police which groups are acceptable to vocalise your disdain for and which aren’t? Because they’re saying that it’s okay to publicly share your hatred for one particular vulnerable group, so which groups are we allowed to dislike vocally and which aren’t and who gets to decide where the line is?

Posted without quoting the above

Okay, you are exactly the reason I rarely venture out of the feminist board. The woman there debate (often robustly) and don't tolerate people twisting words and hyperbole. I actually read your post until I got to 'hatred of a particular vulnerable group'
People are saying, they don't like annoying kids, don't like twatty old people pushing in, don't like obnoxious men spreading themselves on public transport.
I didn't invent anything.. I mentioned behaviours. As far as I'm aware ginger people can't do anything because they the are ginger. They might be absolute arseholes, but the colour of their hair is irrelevant. If you reply to this, I suggest you come up with a better argument

‘I don’t like being around children who are irritating’ is better. Some kids are great to be around, some are utterly draining.

It’s a bit of a strange thing to say… children have their parents, extended families and teachers/carers to look after/care for them…