To wish people would stop saying childless

[Moolihooli]

Watching loose women today, Katie Piper - not for the first time - used “childless” in reference to women without children.

Previously she has also said that she dreads employers who are childless because they lack the empathy for women with child care needs.

I wish people would stop using “childless” as a description for people who are not parents.

@gardeninggirl68

You can't say anything these days without offending someone!

I agree

@KarenofSparta I am surprised that you have never had anyone tell you that they regret having children but it could be because, I assume, you have children.

As a childfree person I think people feel they can say it to me and/or DH.

It's definitely not just on mumsnet that people say this. There are forums for people who regret having their children and, as I said, quite a lot of people have told me they do.

I think it's really odd that some of those offended by the term childless can't understand why others may be offended by the term childfree. And vice versa.

You can't really expect others to change their language because you're offended whilst refusing to change yours when the other person is offended! It's bonkers. And quite hypocritical.

Personally I'm not offended by either term and I don't think I've ever used either. I'd usually say 'they don't have children'.