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

[Surgicalprecison]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g7x5kl5l8o

These articles on the BBC lately show me people's priorities in life have shifted, they don't want children enough to compromise on their current lifestyles.

So what?

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

My life is perfect just the way it is.

Don’t want to compromise on the avocados.

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.

I'm not upset by anything. I thought it was interesting the article is positioning itself to be about the current financial crisis/their situation when it turns out it's a perfectly valid active choice to not want children.

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 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 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'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.

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.

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.

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.

It's the old adage "if he wanted to he would"

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.

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.

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.

You may not want to care for your parents which is your choice but a choice that then needs there to be people in the care sector to provide that care.

Nobody is bothered, that is not the point of the thread is it?

i think not wanting children because it will ‘compromise their lifestyle’ is a fair enough reason.

In some parts of the country affording a big enough flat or house is already a problem. Then of course there’s the childcare cost.

I think a lot of adults don’t want to have to live in overcrowded housing, never be able to buy, not be able to afford luxuries etc to enable them to have a child.

Mumsnet is awful at this puritan ‘oh but you should be miserably poor despite working full time if you want a family’. Well - people don’t want that.

Id also say - the guy on £53k in London. After his loans etc he will be on ~£3k a month. Nursery will cost £2k. Rent probably similar. You start to see the problem.

If people want kids they’ll have them, no matter how poor they are.

I think it’s a shame that people who don’t want kids feel the need to blame the economy etc instead of just being honest and upfront, but it’s still seen as somewhat taboo or strange to just have absolutely no desire to procreate. Personally I think the last thing on earth anyone should do if they have doubts is have children - it’s a big responsibility and can feel relentless and exhausting even when you really, really wanted them!