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

[BirdPlanet]

Increasingly I've heard people saying some variation of the statement 'I don't like children'. I don't see why this is in any way acceptable. You wouldn't say that you 'don't like' any other category of person. If I said I didn't like the elderly or middle-aged women as a group, I'd get slapped down, yet somehow people think it's okay to talk about children as if they aren't human beings. Is it because they can't speak or advocate for themselves? Children aren't some kind of homogeneous entity. They have personalities and different temperaments, just as adults do.

Inevitably people will say that it's used as a shorthand for disliking the behaviour of some children, but even so, that’s more of a reflection of poor parenting than anything else.

@BirdPlanet sorry OP but you just sound very controlling. People can like and dislike who they want, it’s called having the freedom to make an choice and it’s not illegal!

Thanks for the reply. I don’t think it’s such a big deal not to like children as long as you wouldn’t harm one.

Is it OK to not like babies? I know a teacher who adores children but has absolutely no time for new born babies. I absolutely love tiny babies, it’s the best age of a human being IMO.

Of course people can dislike children. Why would that even bother you?

Having children is a choice, like buying a dog is a choice. People don’t choose to age or choose to be gay so it’s not the same at all.

Having children is a choice, but simply being a child is not, just as it's not a choice to be any age at all.

It comes across as ignorant to express dislike for a whole group of people because they are at a particular stage in their lives. Children aren't an homogenous mass - they are individuals, some of whom are more/less likeable than others.
But, largely I think it's just shorthand for not enjoying/wanting to deal with people at that stage of life and that's fair enough. Its not compulsory to enjoy the things that come with children!

Everyone is allowed to dislike anyone else, even for stupid or mean reasons. So long as no one is being harmful or nasty or denying children their rights and protections, I don't really care if an adult wants child free holidays or expects the parent to mind their own kids on planes, in restaurants etc.

But you said yourself that people often meant behaviours, not actual children, so why do you keep banging on about the same thing over and over?

Makes it clear who I DO want to associate with.

Op is there anything else you feel we should or shouldn’t be doing? Don’t you have anything else to do other than be incensed that others in society don’t really like being around children?

I say it !
I don't have or like kids. It's not a crime that I'm aware of to not like kids.
I also don't like a lot of people especially people who say they don't like Cats or Dogs.

Saying "I don't like children" is essentially sociopathic.

I think it’s fine to not like kids, but what I find strange is people’s need to tell others unless you’re directly asked. And even then I wouldn’t engage with someone asking that irl. No one is that interested if you like or dislike kids, dogs, snakes or anything else.

There, easier life for all around.
You stick with those who do not like children, but are still around a parenting site....
I stick around those who like children and consider them the greatest blessing of all.

Again..it's not just a parenting site. I never read any of the parenting boards.

What a stupid comment. People don't choose to get old or be gay sure. But also people don't choose to be born, or choose to be a child.

I must admit that in family/social gatherings I gravitated to the children. Their interactions seemed more authentic and their capacity for joy is infectious. You don’t get that with adults. They’re much less hard work.

But if you want adult time without interruption they are a nightmare.

So choose your time. Family event accept there will be DC that have a right to be there and be themselves. Otherwise, adult only. Parents want adult only time too where they are not in parent mode.

well if someone says it to you and you have children that’s inappropriate.
I really don’t like teenagers and dreading the time my little ones become them 💆🏻‍♀️ I can say it here but wouldn’t say it to friends with teenage children.
I have my children and I love them and I like the company of friends’ children but when I’m off mother’s duties I don’t want to be abound any other children

I also don't like kids and that's my response when I'm constantly asked why I don't have any

It’s not a stupid comment. Those were OPs examples of trying to make out saying you don’t like children is some kind of discrimination or illegal.

Now THAT is stupid.

This! 👏

I don't particularly like other people's children. I'm not mean to them and speak to them in a kind way when the situation requires it, but I don't find them that interesting.

I don't like children, so sue me. And yes I do have one who is 30. He's no fan either so at least I will never be a granny, hurrah!

I agree, that was a particularly daft comment. We’re talking about the children themselves, not the parents.

For some reason plenty of people on here seem to be unable to distinguish between children and their parents. It's moronic. I often read comments like "I don't want my taxes to be have to pay for the schooling and medical costs of other people's children. Why should I? Children are a lifestyle choice" and other such nonsense. Forgetting that the schooling / medical care is being paid for FOR THE CHILD and not the parent! They also seem to conveniently forget that the same costs would have been paid for them. Idiots.

No what’s daft is thinking everyone must have the same preferences in life.

Some aren’t keen on children, some aren’t keen on dogs. People are just being honest, they aren’t going around actively telling children they dislike them or treating them badly. No harm done, it’s called an opinion.