Childfree
Childfree describes those who do not have, and do not desire, children.
Etymology and usage
The term stands in contrast to "childless", which some argue implies that children are "lacking" and desired; childfree persons would argue that their lives can be complete without offspring.
The history of the word is somewhat unclear; it may have been coined in the 1970s by the National Organization for Non-Parents (now defunct).
Childfree is sometimes capitalized in regular usage, e.g. "He describes himself as Childfree."
While gay men and lesbians can be childfree, they rarely adopt the label; the vast majority of those who do are straight (or, potentially, bisexual).
Reasons cited
Childfree persons cite a variety of reasons for their position. Among them:
- Concern regarding environmental factors and/or overpopulation.
- Desire for increased free time.
- Desire for decreased financial responsibility.
- Perceived incapacity to be a responsible parent.
- Fear that parenthood, being an irrevocable state, will be disliked.
- Lack of biological urges to procreate.
Controversy
Childfree individuals are sometimes derided by others as being "selfish" for never wanting children, for not contributing to their nation's future, etc. Childfree persons counter that those who desire children are at least as selfish in their reasons for wanting children, that some reasons cited for being childfree are selfless, and that there will always be enough children born to guarantee any nation's future.
Childfree slang
- BNP: "Breeder, Not Parent"; a "breeder" in the specific sense (see below).
- Breeder: Generally, someone who has, or intends to have, children. Is often used in a more specific sense to refer to obnoxious parents (in contrast with "parent", below).
- Parent: One with children who behaves in a non-obnoxious manner regarding their children, and is considered to have raised those children well. (Some Childfree persons do not make the distinction between this and "breeder", above.)
- PNB: "Parent, Not Breeder"; a "parent" (see above).
- Sprog: A child.
Books
The Baby Boon (ISBN 0743242645) is a book by Elinor Burkett, published in 2000, which outlines a case against many privileges granted to parents (as opposed to non-parents) at various levels of society.
Television
An episode of The Simpsons presented a scenario where people without children, including Childfree adults, squared off against the families with children of Springfield.
