Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
News
Original poster

Why does the Times think it is ok to print this horrible article about "Breeders"

160 replies

MmeLindt · 19/09/2009 19:53

Shudder

I absolutely hate the term "Breeders".

Why do childless people think that it is ok to use terms like this? I don't go around thinking that I am superiour to them because I pushed a baby out of my fanjo. I would never refer to a childless person in such a derogatory way.

The comments are just horribly smug.

OP posts:
CarmenSanDiego · 19/09/2009 22:33

On other forums I hang out on, I've encountered 'childfree' threads and made the mistake of looking.

It's fair enough to enjoy your lifestyle choice with other likeminded people and I have no issue with people having 'childfree' threads if for some reason they want to talk about life without kids, but some of these threads are vicious - and they're not about enjoying their lifestyle choice but dissing other people's. Almost all the posts go, "I was out in a restaurant yesterday and I saw a VILE SPAWN on the floor! They should stay at home until they're 37!!!!"

It's like homophobia or racism, only against children.

But somehow it's legitimised by them seeing themselves as a minority.

cherryblossoms · 19/09/2009 22:57

Carmen - i agree.

I always wonder how come these people, who were once children themselves, come to have such a weird animosity?

OmicronPersei8 · 19/09/2009 23:06

I once met a woman who looked at DD with great disdain, turned to me and said 'is it yours?'. DD was asleep, not screaming or anything, I was shocked and a more than a little hurt on DD's behalf, but not entirely surprised to meet with that kind of attitude once in a while. It didn't make me feel any better either. And she wouldn't really talk to me after that: as if as I had a child with me I wouldn't be able to talk about anything else.

UnquietDad · 19/09/2009 23:13

What comes out of this article most is the writer's immaturity. Why does the Times employ such giggling schoolgirls?

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 19/09/2009 23:13

Perhaps Hannah is after a job on the Observer?

whomovedmychocolate · 19/09/2009 23:15

Before I had kids I actually believed that (in particular working) mothers were quite strange creatures that I had nothing in common with. I must have been a total bitch to work with too

I think it largely comes from feeling that parents are getting an easy ride (totally untrue obviously) in that they could have flexible hours, always appeared to be off because their kids were sick and so on. Whereas I had no responsibilities other than a cat so could put in 18 hour days and just drop things.

Didn't know about the lack of promotion, less salary, stressed at every angle aspects of it then obviously.

I do now, I'm going back to work.

This woman probably doesn't see any different because she's not evolved that far yet. I hope she does.

UnquietDad · 19/09/2009 23:15

Anyone know (or can guess) what her email is? Wonder if it's [email protected] or something similar. We should all email her and tell her what a silly girl she is. And ask "How's the flat?"

NoahDear · 19/09/2009 23:15

she is desperate to be married and have kids

and have a tan

LadyoftheBathtub · 19/09/2009 23:20

How amazingly rude. Not to mention a bit dim - yes, us breeders do have a clue what it's like to be single and childless - we were single and childless, you daft bint. Unlike the other way round, i.e. the childless don't really know what it's like to be a parent, and some can be hurtful and/or thoughtless about it, but I try to allow for that as it's not intentional. Furthermore most parents WOH, and even when they don't they generally have other interests to talk about. Maybe just not to a vacuous lifestyle journo who has so little to say.

scottishmummy · 19/09/2009 23:21

maybe she knows twaddle gets the breeders goin

UnquietDad · 19/09/2009 23:21

And I see it's a regular column, rather arrogantly titled "Things you only know if you're single."

Of course. Because there are things you only know if you're single, right? Think about it, Hannah dear. Coupled people have been both. And parents have been both non-parents and parents.

Let's be honest - lots of us came out with crap similar like this when we were 22 and had just left home and felt that we knew everything. It's just that most of us weren't paid to twitter about it in a national newspaper.

UnquietDad · 19/09/2009 23:25

www.journalisted.com/hannah-betts

UnquietDad · 19/09/2009 23:27

Blimey, she's 37

From the tone of the article I'd guessed that she was about 22/23...

LivingLaVidaLurker2 · 19/09/2009 23:27

Oh, wonderful Mumsnet. I read this article in the paper this morning and, though I am rarely incensed (is that the right word? As in angry - not infused with patchouli...) it made me cross. And all day it's been on my mind and I really wanted to e-mail the paper and say "What? What is this?"

I hate the term 'breeder'. It's awful and becoming more prevalent these days. Horrible. And actually, yes of course my 'parent-friends' and I talk about our children. But also, my 'non-parent friends' ask about my children. And I answer. And then we talk about other stuff. And I had friends over today with a baby who have just moved house and we talked about their baby. And I asked, "How's the house?"

Georgimama · 19/09/2009 23:27

Tragically, Hannah Betts is apparently 37 years old. If she was 22 it would be forgiveable.

A quick google reveals she has written several articles along these lines. Fair enough, as a lawyer I get paid for regurgitating the same old over and over, no reason why the same principle shouldn't apply to a journalist.

This rather angry offering shows how, well, I hate to say it, but bitter she seems to be.

Georgimama · 19/09/2009 23:28

x posted UQD. Took me a while. I've had wine.

scottishmummy · 19/09/2009 23:30

oh pipe down are you suggesting we get dem glistening torches and head down betts houes

a journalist writes a schlocky sure to respond piece-big deal.doesn't mean the mn posse should email her

worse shite in print than this inane lets goad the middle classes parp

Georgimama · 19/09/2009 23:31

I vote torches. Anyone else?

LivingLaVidaLurker2 · 19/09/2009 23:34

See, what I really hate is that some people who choose not to have children feel compelled to be derogatory about those of us who actually rather enjoy being parents.

Whereas, I could honestly not care less whether people want children or not. What I can't abide though is people judging me for my choices.

And, just like the recent Liz Jones thread, someone will soon post on here, "Well, she's obviously doing a good job because she's got your attention blah blah."

And, exactly UQD, I have been both single and non-single, a parent and a non-parent. And I am bloody happy now!

HerBeatitude · 19/09/2009 23:35

37?

Oh she's getting desperate isn't she...

Imagine hurtling towards becoming Liz Jones

No wonder she's bitter

scottishmummy · 19/09/2009 23:38

what an incandescent haze about sweet fa
oh guess what age she is...well i never
oh guess her email..golly gosh

that it maintains your attention,and provokes tap tapping email?good that being called a breeder invokes the rabble in some of you.wonsder what y'all do about something that really mattered.not just the inane tittering's of a journalist

silly article.chip paper wrapping

moooooooooooooooooooove on

MaggieBeauLeo · 19/09/2009 23:38

ludicrous. Parents have at one point been non-breeders as she says. And she's so conservative. I have children but I'm not in a couple. So what camp do I fall into! (the worst!).

I remember workig with a girl like this whenI was pg. She went on about mortgage rates and should she buy the tan bag or the black bag on and on and on.... but if I even said I had a hospitla apt, she'd raise her eyes to heaven at the dullness of it.

THe comments are good! somebody mentioned Liz Jones!! ha ha.

LivingLaVidaLurker2 · 19/09/2009 23:45

Ah, Scottishmummy - I knew someone would come on here and say, "Why do you all care? etc etc" Well, because we just do, OK? Just as you care enough to post on here that we're ridiculous to care. It's a vicious circle.

MaggieBeauLeo · 19/09/2009 23:46

scottishmummy, you're here pawing away on your keyboard too.

scottishmummy · 19/09/2009 23:48

yes i am but i dont need her age or email addy to add to my rage

a weak and obvious article.not worth all the froth.