Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

To think people are nuts for not having kids for environmental reasons?

80 replies

LewishamMum · 30/04/2021 14:48

I guess in a community of Mums, I may get support, but I just don't understand the increasing number of people in the media who won't have kids because of the environment.
I can't help thinking a lot of them just don't want kids (which is fine), and are trying to come up with a good/virtue signalling reason for this. I mean, if you wanted kids, wouldn't you just do it? (Oh, I do get why they are bad for the environment though!)

OP posts:
MMMarmite · 30/04/2021 16:13

I don't think they're nuts. I think the projections for the future at the moment are pretty terrifying, when you really research it. Sad

cravingmilkshake · 30/04/2021 16:16

We wanted two (one to replace each of us), however, after the first we tried for a second and bow pregnant with twins Halo . So we wanted to play our part but bow will have to find different ways to offset 🤣

MMMarmite · 30/04/2021 16:17

It was 3-4C warmer during the Bronze Age and that is what helped civilisation develop. This is not true.

Original poster
LewishamMum · 30/04/2021 16:18

@SantiagoSky

If decarbonization can't be achieved by 2050 there is no future for our children, this is why some people decide do not have any.
But surely things aren't going to be that bad? I just can't believe some of the Doomsday scenarios. I'm not saying people won't have terrible lives in the Sahara, Seychelles and Bangladesh, which may well all become unliveable in due to heat/sea waters. That's obviously very important, but however selfish it is, surely things in Britain are not going to be so awful that you wouldn't want to put any kids through it? I just struggle to believe that's really the reason, rather than a large part of other reasons, to not have loads of kids, but not really a reason at all.
OP posts:
Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 30/04/2021 16:22

The problem isn't people having children, the problem is how long people live now.

Original poster
LewishamMum · 30/04/2021 16:23

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion

The problem isn't people having children, the problem is how long people live now.
It may be a problem, but what are you proposing?!
OP posts:
fairlygoodmother · 30/04/2021 16:24

I think it’s because society in general is quite disapproving of women who don’t want children. So it’s easier to come up with an external reason to shut down the discussion about whether you are unnatural, selfish, lazy, cold hearted etc.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 30/04/2021 16:29

It may be a problem, but what are you proposing?!

Well nothing Confused, jist pointing out a fact.

Frezia · 30/04/2021 16:31

The global fertility rate has been going down for years. In fact, it's halved in the last 50 years. Environmentalists need not worry, most people are finding it harder and harder to afford having more than 1 child or any children at all.

Thesearmsofmine · 30/04/2021 16:32

I tend to think they are people on the fence about having dc anyway so it isn’t a great sacrifice if it isn’t something you are fussed about.
Sometimes they are also very young and passionate and are in just not at the stage of live where they feel the want for dc so that may change in time.

HumunaHey · 30/04/2021 16:35

I can't help thinking a lot of them just don't want kids (which is fine), and are trying to come up with a good/virtue signalling reason for this.

Agree.

SantiagoSky · 30/04/2021 16:43

Here are the temperature anomalies over the years, what we are seeing now has never happened before: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:T_comp_61-90.pdf

The amount of effects depends on how quickly we will be able to decarbonize. If we do it by 2050 then the average temperature rise will be between 1,5 and 2 degrees which will still mean that extreme weather events will happen more often than they do now. If we don't do anything that will result in 4 degrees.

The south of the UK will be more affected. You can check for your area here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-d6338d9f-8789-4bc2-b6d7-3691c0e7d138

However the global developments will also be relevant, keep in mind that most of the food consumed in the UK is produced elsewhere and many other dependencies exist.

DogInATent · 30/04/2021 16:48

Shock horror, parent has difficulty understanding someone else's point of view who chooses to be childfree. The reasons don't really matter do they?

TheYearOfSmallThings · 30/04/2021 16:48

Yeah, I never believe people when they say this.

Either they just don't really want kids, or they will find a good reason to have a baby when they want one.

Arbadacarba · 30/04/2021 16:50

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Iceniii · 30/04/2021 16:59

Maybe they don't want children for environmental reasons? Why would it mattter to you that they declare this unless you feel that they are having a dig at people who have had children?

If you've had children, it impacts on the environment. They turn into consumers. You can't deny this. Maybe, if we education our children they will solve the issues most adults can't be arsed to. Own the fact that you've made a decision that could have a negative impact to the Earth. Its one of many.

Original poster
LewishamMum · 30/04/2021 17:02

@Iceniii
I'm just cynical whether that's the real reason or not....as per my original post.
I'm not denying the environmental consequences.

OP posts:
Spiderplants · 30/04/2021 17:04

@MMMarmite

I don't think they're nuts. I think the projections for the future at the moment are pretty terrifying, when you really research it. Sad
I agree. I don’t low why but I follow someone on Instagram whose MO is ethical fashion and the environment. She has six children, breeds her cat and has bought a cockerpoo Hmm.

Humans are hypocrites I guess.

HumunaHey · 30/04/2021 17:06

@DogInATent

Shock horror, parent has difficulty understanding someone else's point of view who chooses to be childfree. The reasons don't really matter do they?
This isn't just about parents thinking that though. Childfree people can also question other's motives for not having children.
Iceniii · 30/04/2021 17:07

[quote LewishamMum]@Iceniii
I'm just cynical whether that's the real reason or not....as per my original post.
I'm not denying the environmental consequences.[/quote]
But some people really care about the environment and the Earth.

Arbadacarba · 30/04/2021 17:18

[quote LewishamMum]@Iceniii
I'm just cynical whether that's the real reason or not....as per my original post.
I'm not denying the environmental consequences.[/quote]
They're probably sick to death of being asked why they don't have them, and have come up with the environment as the least personal reason to give, and hopefully shut people up.

If it wasn't expected that women justify the decision not to have children, this wouldn't happen.

If someone tells me they have two children, I say 'that's nice, what are their names?' I don't say 'why did you have them? Aren't you worried you'll change your mind? Suppose your mother doesn't want to be a granny?'

DogInATent · 30/04/2021 18:02

This isn't just about parents thinking that though. Childfree people can also question other's motives for not having children.

But they probably don't feel the need ask, never mind question, their motives @humanaHey It's only the childburdened that feel the need to justify their life decision by questioning the motives of the childfree.

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 01/05/2021 06:52

They're probably sick to death of being asked why they don't have them, and have come up with the environment as the least personal reason to give, and hopefully shut people up.If it wasn't expected that women justify the decision not to have children, this wouldn't happen.If someone tells me they have two children, I say 'that's nice, what are their names?' I don't say 'why did you have them? Aren't you worried you'll change your mind? Suppose your mother doesn't want to be a granny?

This!

Elsbeth1 · 01/05/2021 11:18

I respect people who do this so much!
I do think the we are slowly draining the world of its resources which will end in hunger and suffering for future generations
The short term thinking of some of the people on here are shocking -every action has a consequence and I think in the UK we live in such a bubble that its hard to imagine the suffering caused by our actions (including myself)

I think OP is underestimating the moral code of some people..
Its a perfect valid reason to not have a baby - one of my best friends is like this - only wants to work for charities, live minimally, zero waste, etc.
She gets no hassle from her parents, friends or the people she surrounds herself with, she is happy is adopt instead when the time comes

Original poster
LewishamMum · 01/05/2021 12:07

@Elsbeth1
Sorry, but it does seem mean to adopt for environmental reasons (unless an older, or disabled child, as they are so hard to adopt), when so many can't have children - look at some of the other threads on that. I just think that is really mean.

OP posts: