Page 5 | I hate when companies use ‘family’ to mean only if you have children

Newchangename · 2023-10-04T09:25:11+00:00

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

Twentypastfour · 04/10/2023 12:15

”Family” is just shorthand for a couple with young children. Even those of us with children won’t fit into the definition for long. I really don’t think anyone needs to take offence.

”Family favourite” films meaning Disney type, a “family room” in a hotel meaning one with a sofa bed suitable for young kids in the same room as their parents etc etc. Everyone is in or has at least grown up in a family, but we all know a “family” show at the theatre means one that will appeal to primary aged children.

My children are too old for me to take advantage of “parent and child” spaces in the car park. It doesn’t mean they are no longer my children or that I’m not even someone’s child, but we all know what it means.

Anonymouslyposting · 04/10/2023 12:16

Scalottia · 04/10/2023 12:09

Pretty sure that most people do have children for their own amusement - why else would you have them? Amusement is probably the wrong word - but let's be honest, the only reason people have kids is because it's something that they want to do for themselves. Again, it's a choice, and along with that choice comes more expenses.

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Sure - but with that choice also comes a benefit to other people so it grates a bit when people complain about any benefit that comes with having kids (not saying you were complaining, I haven’t stalked all your posts to find out!)

Anonymouslyposting · 04/10/2023 12:19

Redmat · 04/10/2023 12:15

Of course you are a family if there are only two of you. People saying only those with children are classed as a family is hurtful and actually a bit self-important.
My husband and I are a family, my children are my family as are my siblings,cousins nephews neices etc.
Family is those you are tied to by marriage ,blood but mostly love.

It’s the dictionary definition of the word family, it’s not an insult to you. If you want to use a definition that’s different then that’s no problem but other people aren’t trying to offend you or devalue your relationship by using the word the way it’s defined.

cadburyegg · 04/10/2023 12:19

As a single parent, family tickets are one of my pet peeves. If I take my dc to an attraction I pay for 1 adult and 2 dc which often isn't much less than a family ticket for 2 adults and 2 or even 3 dc. Despite the fact I have a single income. So irritating.

MrsSkylerWhite · 04/10/2023 12:20

OutsideLookingOut · Today 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””

Most aren’tthat prescriptive. Our local zoo does various “family” tickets. One adult/two adults and various numbers of children.

inamarina · 04/10/2023 12:21

Scalottia · 04/10/2023 12:09

Pretty sure that most people do have children for their own amusement - why else would you have them? Amusement is probably the wrong word - but let's be honest, the only reason people have kids is because it's something that they want to do for themselves. Again, it's a choice, and along with that choice comes more expenses.

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Well, that’s exactly why I said ‚hardly anyone has children specifically to raise the next generation of taxpayers/ service providers‘.
But people who decide against having children will still most likely benefit from the future tax payers.

ErrolTheDragon · 04/10/2023 12:24

cadburyegg · 04/10/2023 12:19

As a single parent, family tickets are one of my pet peeves. If I take my dc to an attraction I pay for 1 adult and 2 dc which often isn't much less than a family ticket for 2 adults and 2 or even 3 dc. Despite the fact I have a single income. So irritating.

Some organisations are now being more realistic and sensible and offering family options for either one or two adults eg I think the national trust memberships do this.

Twentypastfour · 04/10/2023 12:27

As a single parent, family tickets are one of my pet peeves. If I take my dc to an attraction I pay for 1 adult and 2 dc which often isn't much less than a family ticket for 2 adults and 2 or even 3 dc. Despite the fact I have a single income. So irritating.

There are lots of places that do 1 adult family memberships these days though. I am not a single parent but it’s almost always me with the DC on day trips I have a 1 adult family membership of the National Trust, English Heritage and more and I find them really good value.

I also find that a lot of child-centric museums and attractions have children in for free with full priced adult tickets, so it’s literally half the price for me to take the DC out as a family of 3 vs us going with DH as a 4.

Oioicaptain · 04/10/2023 12:28

If you would like to make use of a family ticket, you are welcome to take my two kids out for the day. I'll pay for their two tickets and you can reap the rewards of the heavy discount, which usually amounts to....the same as if you bought the tickets individually or maybe £1 off.

Mamatolittleboy · 04/10/2023 12:28

Myself and DH had a misscarriage not long before our wedding day. In his wedding speech he said that I always said I wanted a family but me and him will always be a family. Just the 2 of us are enough.

We have a son now, and we always say we added to our family rather than started one with him now.

YANBU x

SnowflakeCity · 04/10/2023 12:31

Redmat · 04/10/2023 12:15

Of course you are a family if there are only two of you. People saying only those with children are classed as a family is hurtful and actually a bit self-important.
My husband and I are a family, my children are my family as are my siblings,cousins nephews neices etc.
Family is those you are tied to by marriage ,blood but mostly love.

It would only be hurtful if you think family is superior to couple surely? My husband and I are a couple, add in the kids we are a family. They are just descriptors not judgements.

MorningHood · 04/10/2023 12:31

If you have this much time to be offended on behalf of others…

Redmat · 04/10/2023 12:32

Anonomouslyposting

I'm not insulted at all about the use of the world family ,what a strange thing to say .
I and I would think a huge number of us have obviously failed to use the dictionary definition of family when using sentences such as "I'm meeting my family for lunch".
Perhaps in future I should say I'm meeting , my grown up child,my 2nd cousin once ,removed , my aunt ,and my grandmother . Is that better?

AnnaTortoiseshell · 04/10/2023 12:34

This is ridiculous.

NeedToChangeName · 04/10/2023 12:45

If you get a family discount because you're a couple aka family of 2

And I get a family discount because I have children

And my single cousin gets a family discount because I'm her closest living relative

And my best friends get a family discount because they're both single but regard themselves as quasi sisters and why should they be penalised

Then, nobody's getting a discount!

maddiemookins16mum · 04/10/2023 12:53

fitzwilliamdarcy · 04/10/2023 10:33

What really grinds my gears is politicians endlessly going on about “hard working families”. What am I (single household), the cat’s mother?

Oh yes this. I fully get this, it’s like ‘single’ households are invisible.

JustAMinutePleass · 04/10/2023 12:58

In my experience companies that have family passes that are cheaper than 2 adult tickets usually don’t want adults to come in without children. Local zoos and farms do this a lo

SSSSSSSSSSSA · 04/10/2023 12:58

C

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 04/10/2023 12:59

YANBU. I hate the phrase "hard hit families" - like no-one else suffers from increasing prices. I call me, DH and DDog our strange little family!

OutsideLookingOut · 04/10/2023 13:02

It’s not about income, your aunts, uncles, cousins etc etc are family. Family are not just children. My point is linguistic

musixa · 04/10/2023 13:12

Yes! A real annoyance. My family are my husband, sister and parents. That is no less valid than any other type of family.

I think you'd get 100% agreement on the Childfree Board for this.

Overthebow · 04/10/2023 13:22

musixa · 04/10/2023 13:12

Yes! A real annoyance. My family are my husband, sister and parents. That is no less valid than any other type of family.

I think you'd get 100% agreement on the Childfree Board for this.

Have you read the definition of 'family'?

ginandtonicwithlimes · 04/10/2023 13:24

Scalottia · 04/10/2023 10:54

For god's sake, you chose to have kids therefore it's logical that days out etc will cost more. That was your choice. If it's difficult to pay, don't go.

'Families' get enough help.

Also don't assume that all childless/childfree couples don't need help. Way to generalise.

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I don't think those with children get enough help at all actually. More generous in Europe than here.

musixa · 04/10/2023 13:24

Overthebow · 04/10/2023 13:22

Have you read the definition of 'family'?

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Yes, it has multiple meanings including descendants of a common ancestor.

ginandtonicwithlimes · 04/10/2023 13:25

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 04/10/2023 12:59

YANBU. I hate the phrase "hard hit families" - like no-one else suffers from increasing prices. I call me, DH and DDog our strange little family!

Obviously those with children have more mouthes to feeds, more clothes. Obviously not saying you aren't struggling but probably easier than those with children.