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AIBU?

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Original poster

I hate when companies use ‘family’ to mean only if you have children

153 replies

Newchangename · 04/10/2023 10:25

I hate it when people use ‘starting a family’ to mean having children. Or when places do ‘family tickets’ or ‘family passes’ and you need to have a child to qualify.

Why are DH and I less of a family because we choose not to have children? It’s hurtful to my friend who desperately tried to have children for years and couldn’t. She doesn’t need a reminder that her family is incomplete/ non- existent because they couldn’t

OP posts:
Jellycats4life · 04/10/2023 10:39

It’s a simple descriptor!

I really think you’re looking for offence at the idea of a theme park “family ticket” not including child-free couples.

You’re already saving money by dint of not having children!

Sarah2891 · 04/10/2023 10:39

I don't have kids but you are being unreasonable. Starting a family means having kids. It's not offensive to say that.

PinkRoses1245 · 04/10/2023 10:40

I don't have kids, and I consider DH and I as a family. but I disagree with you, family tickets for example, are to give a discount to children.

ErrolTheDragon · 04/10/2023 10:40

Cumbrianlife · 04/10/2023 10:37

There's so many families, including those with DC that don't fit a 'family ticket.' Our eldest was an only child for over 10 years but we eventually went on to have 3DC. It was only for two years we fitted the criteria.
I often go out for the day with a close friend and her two GC. We buy a family ticket, no one is checking birth certificates.

I had an only. The price for two adults and one child was invariably less than a family ticket, so there was no problem.

Saschka · 04/10/2023 10:40

What would you prefer them to be called? “Breeder and crotchfruit tickets”? “Anklebiter surcharges”?

“Family ticket” means 2 adults and 2 children. Not all families fit that mould - mine doesn’t. But it is a business decision not a human right. Should I also complain it’s ageist that I’m not eligible for over 65s discounts?

EdithWeston · 04/10/2023 10:40

It's also restricted to certain age DC, as if having over 8s, 12s, 14s (or whatever cut-off they impose) somehow magically means they no longer count

I did enjoy the day when the cafe had an offer for parent drink -> child free drink, and I pointed out that I (in my 40s) was there with my mother (in her 80s) and can my drink be free please! (We all had a good chuckle but it was of course a "no")

PinkRoses1245 · 04/10/2023 10:40

Sarah2891 · 04/10/2023 10:39

I don't have kids but you are being unreasonable. Starting a family means having kids. It's not offensive to say that.

I HATE the phrase starting a family. You are a family already. You are adding to your family.

Whereforartthoudave · 04/10/2023 10:40

‘If you are single, you are part of your siblings and parents family unit. I bet at work small talk about Christmas etc you say “I’ll visit my family”.
Show quote history
I’m estranged from my family, so no, I don’t.’

Of course you are! Well then I guess, for now you’re a single adult, it’s a category of its own. Don’t be offended that you
aren't a ‘hardworking family’ if you literally have no family to speak of… some would say of course younhave a family. Even an estranged one.

tiggergoesbounce · 04/10/2023 10:41

Im not quite sure why you would be offended at a family ticket, its to include the family. On valentines night you get couples meals, that is for 2 adults. As 2 married adults, are a married couple.

Out of the intetest, how would you prefer they refer to my family ? Or is it that you want them to do a "family ticket" for a married couple ?

ErrolTheDragon · 04/10/2023 10:41

(And many 'family' tickets are now more flexible adults +children so allow for grandparents or other carers, which is all to the good.)

Thewizardbinbag · 04/10/2023 10:42

fitzwilliamdarcy · 04/10/2023 10:37

I’m estranged from my family, so no, I don’t.

Show quote history

That’s very sad for you, but I’m sure you’ve filled your life with friends and work etc.

But when the government are discussing the impacts of rising costs on children, and talking about the rising number of kids on free school meals or kids struggling in school as parents have to work more hours so can’t help with homework etc, they’re going to discuss “hard working families”.

There are issues which specially affect households with children, and those issues are quite important. You, as a single person, still benefit from things like the energy price cap and the payments to all households to help with energy bills etc, but stuff to do with kids has nothing to do with you so why should they tailor their language to include single person households when discussing things impacting a different demographic?

But also, it sounds better as a quote under their face on a campaign poster. Looking that way at it, and you’re right to feel pushed aside.

Claraclouds · 04/10/2023 10:42

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

JudesBiggestFan · 04/10/2023 10:42

You're being ridiculous. Myself and my husband have two incomes that we support the five of us on. Going out and paying for five people to do stuff is much more difficult than paying for just two. Discounts make it more possible and so it's in a company's best interest to once to incentivise us to do so. Honestly, people are having too few kids to pay for this ageing population as it is...we need to be helping families more not less! I ga e so many friends who have chosen not to have kids...their lifestyle now is amazing, they definitely don't need help.

Cowlover89 · 04/10/2023 10:43

AnneLovesGilbert · 04/10/2023 10:29

What else would starting a family mean?

Yep!

Cowlover89 · 04/10/2023 10:43

Yabu

yogasaurus · 04/10/2023 10:45

You can’t just get rid of the word ‘family’ or change its definition because it offends some people who don’t/couldn’t have children.

That’s just not how life works.

Jellycats4life · 04/10/2023 10:46

What would you prefer them to be called? “Breeder and crotchfruit tickets”? “Anklebiter surcharges”?

💀🤣

fitzwilliamdarcy · 04/10/2023 10:46

But also, it sounds better as a quote under their face on a campaign poster. Looking that way at it, and you’re right to feel pushed aside.

That was my point. It’s shorthand used by politicians consistently, not just when they’re specifically talking about policies that only affect children.

I’m not saying it’s the end of the world and I’m perpetually distraught by it, I’m saying it’s bloody irritating. But of course this is MN and everything turns into a bunfight.

OutsideLookingOut · 04/10/2023 10:47

Yeah I don’t like it either. I was once out with my aunts and grandparents and we are a family lol but clearly not the family they mean. It is always a short fit “families with children”

Overthebow · 04/10/2023 10:48

YABU. It’s literally the definition of family. Two adults is a couple, not a family. Adults and kids is a family. Some people are so easily offended!

Scalottia · 04/10/2023 10:48

Whereforartthoudave · 04/10/2023 10:34

You want a ‘family’ ticket for you and your DH? Both adults, presumably with incomes?

get a grip. Families with kids get a very slight - and it is slight!- discount because while you and DH pay for 2 people someone with kids is paying for the kids!
I have 2 kids so when we go out for the day we’re paying for almost twice your costs,
when we travel we need 2 hotel rooms, pay for 4 seats on a plane. Unfortunately it’s now frowned upon to stick them up chimneys to help contribute to costs…

I love it when people carry on about 'oh but have children and pay twice as much', was it not your choice to have children?

Why do people think that they are entitled to cheaper tickets etc overall just because they chose to have children?

YANBU OP.

CandyLeBonBon · 04/10/2023 10:49

I hate it when people use ‘starting a family’ to mean having children.

What the fuck else should it mean? Adopting a cat?

Don't be ridiculous.

Thewizardbinbag · 04/10/2023 10:50

OutsideLookingOut · 04/10/2023 10:47

Yeah I don’t like it either. I was once out with my aunts and grandparents and we are a family lol but clearly not the family they mean. It is always a short fit “families with children”

Well, if you’re all adults then you’re all working/on benefits/being supported by a partner… basically, you have your own income as an adult. Children don’t. They are paid for by their parents. It makes it expensive to take kids out. Companies wants kids to come, so they offer a discount to encourage parents to bring their kids out for the day.

Some places also offer groups discounts for just adults too though.

GreenWheat · 04/10/2023 10:51

Oh do give over. Should they also not sell "child" tickets for fear of upsetting people who want children but can't have them?

Thewizardbinbag · 04/10/2023 10:52

Scalottia · 04/10/2023 10:48

I love it when people carry on about 'oh but have children and pay twice as much', was it not your choice to have children?

Why do people think that they are entitled to cheaper tickets etc overall just because they chose to have children?

YANBU OP.

Show quote history

Who thinks they are entitled to it?

It’s business making a profitable decision to offer discounts to parents and kids, because businesses have realised that parent and children groups will spend more money when there and they want them to come.

That’s the whole reason. It is more expensive to go places with kids, and lots of people simply wouldn’t go with ticket prices what they are. Business want you to go so offer a discount. No one is demanding it, other than the OP who feels entitled to a discount as she is in a couple.

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