Same. But im glad that choosing not to have children is not much of a taboo now as it was then. I have vy little maternal instincts and i would make a horrible parent.

It's ABSOLUTELY normal to not want children and I'm glad that people are no longer feeding into the breeding habits of the 1800s when multiple children meant that at least one would survive the multitude of famines and plagues of the century.

There are some species of animals that stop reproducing under adverse circumstances. So humans wouldn't be alone in that. Plus, throughout human history various cultures have looked for ways to have fewer kids in an attempt to take better care of the ones they have. I've also read some theorizing that there's an evolutionary advantage to having some non-reproducing adults in the population. It's usually talked about in terms of a positive outcome for the species as a whole from having homosexual members, but the mechanism is people who don't have kids providing extra support to the children in their families. With "success" in evolutionary terms being a person's genes being passed down, they put their energy into niblings who also carry their genes. The nibling with more support is more likely to thrive and reproduce, rather than having that same effort shared across more children that would be less like to thrive.

Me too! I'm doing a good job of being a mama for 4 cats and 2 dogs. I've never had the urge to have kids and I'm 47.

First rule of being human: ignore natural animal behavior.

I don’t have patience for small children. I’ve always felt more maternal towards kittens and puppies. I love animals more than people. Animals don’t judge.

I knew when I was a child that I was NOT going to have children, I was going to have puppies. In the years between I've been told that I'm a bad person, that I'm SELFISH and even mean for not wanting to have children. Foolish! I say. My family was an alcoholic nightmare. I did not enjoy my childhood, my parents did not enjoy my childhood, and my brothers loved bullying me and beating me up. As the youngest, and the only girl, I knew at a very early age that having children is a perfectly good way to screw up another person's life, and I've never wanted to do that. I'm 55, have had over 53 dogs, cats, horses and birds... And still counting. No children. I know what makes a family, and having children wasn't ever a requirement for mine. 💕

I tell people my cat is not adopted. It's my biological cat.

So, I guess I should preface saying I am a parent and personally glad to be one... BUT I absolutely don't think you should a) have to feel some base drive to procreate just to be a 'normal adult' and b) I know for sure that there are lots of ways that you can contribute to the overall benefit of those close to you or to the species in general without wanting kids or even wanting anything to do with kids. If you aren't actively hurting kids or the future of humanity or the planet, then do what makes you feel right with the world and forget about 'normal'. I would also say that other animals aren't all driven to procreate as much as possible for the entirety of their sexual maturity, or even at all for every individual of a species. Obviously there has to be some drive for some individuals but it's certainly not every individual all the time even with good options for mates.

Actually no. There's many ways of furthering your people, and that doesn't mean everyone having children sometimes it's a simple as working in a support role providing food or shelter or medicine or education. Wanting to contribute to your species isn't limited to you know reproducing.

UR normal! Animals dont wanna perpetuate anything either, they just wanna mate! im guessing u probably have sex & enjoy it...if ur a woman maybe not evry time lol but that's why nature made sex- cuz parenting seems so awful that there had 2 be a way 4 us 2 procreate that was so good, most couldnt resist lol otherwise no 1 would ever reproduce lol. im just bein a goof but theres some truth here. Our species does the most work prob of any parent on earth & no other creature is expected 2 keep all their offspring alive...like almost all other species r used 2 losing young as a typical event 'cept maybe pandas, so we have much more weight on us, the stakes r SO HIGH, its overwhelming 2 have 2 care 4 anothers wellbeing & not JUST keep 'em alive, so its not weird 2 NOT "want" that when u think on it, hence...sex. Then once its born, nature hopes the mom, at least, will bond & then it doesnt matter if u never "wanted" 2 be a parent cuz now youde kill 4 that baby! (All this is generalizing)

Prior to modern medicine all needed was a moderate sex drive and kids would generally come whether you wanted them or not which is pretty much all evolution requires.

you.do.you!

So what's normal? I've enough trouble being me, normal will have to be somebody else s problem.

There is nothing wrong with you!! At most you are smarter than most bc your instincts know this world is already over populated as it is

Love your response! If I had to do it over again I'd stick with four legged "offspring" lol.

NO. The expectation to perpetuate the human species should not be a consideration in a severely over populated world. I wish people would focus more on adoption of the all the children who are up for adoption, no matter the reason. ☺️ I’ve known my whole life that I never wanted children, but I had the luxury of contraception whereas many women do not have that choice because of cultural norms or lack of contraception.

Same here.I've never had any interest whatsoever in dating,getting married,having 2.5 children and acquiring a mortgage.Being a built-in babysitter strengthened my convictions in that area.The only kids I've ever wanted have had four legs and fur.

"Perpetuate the species" and even the "pass your genes on to the next generation" can only happen if the next generation survives to successfully reproduce, A variety of species have instincts to reproduce ONLY when it's best for their future offspring - they may be able to store sperm to delay fertilization, delay the implantation of a fertilized egg, or even re-absorb or expel pregnancies (leaving them able to try again when their odds are better) Sometimes a fraction of individuals within a species have the instinct to support their species/genes being perpetuated by supporting another individual's offspring instead of having their own competing offspring. For first-degree relatives (who share 50% of their genes), this instinct effectively helps their genes to be passed on by proxy with less resources than are needed to reproduce themselves. So, in short, "want to perpetuate the species" doesn't always mean "want to have sex to make my own babies."

Technically no. Healthy adult animals want to protect their species. Many animals adapt to changing conditions even at the cost of reproduction. Cannabalism is one such adaptation. When population is too high and food is scarce, cannabalism then decreased reproduction. Also "normal" is subjective and individualized/cultural. Name two states that have all the same norms. As conditions and environment changes so too do the populations. (Quote from somewhere.)

Good for you!!!!!!👍😁💖

It's normal to not want to have kids. We just aren't talked about much. I bet there's a large number of people who feel this way. I didn't want kids as a young person. Never had kids, I have had cats my entire adult life. As an older adult I don't mind other people's kids (finally) cuz I can give them back. I still prefer cats.

I have a dog, lizards and a snake. I’m happy.

Kudos to you for being emotionally, socially, and even environmentally responsible. 🌟 If the instinct for parenthood isn't there, it simply isn't; nothing wrong witb that. I never really felt it, either. My mom sure did & married wrong; who all paid the price? Cats & dogs are better to care for; money well spent.

asexuality:

I have bad genes. I figure my lack of desire to breed is nature taking the reins.

My only child is in her 60’s. She needed a brother or sister, I couldn’t have anymore. She was lonely and I felt so sorry for her.😢

It's proven that there are animals that just don't feel into having kids, don't you worry

Yay good right on hairy toddlers are the best!

Me too

The instinct to reproduce is a momentary thing that hits you usually during passion. It goes away. The reproduction, on the other hand, never does. You can ignore the instinct. Eat a piece of chocolate...

The urge to procreate surfaces at the oddest times. (And usually the most inconvenient!) It's not a perpetual thing; it's a sudden flash, then it's gone. Just make sure that sudden flash doesn't get you where you don't want to go.

Haha, me too! Anytime I have gotten any baby urges, I think about getting a kitten and realize that would be SO much better!!

No.

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Don't tell the Pope that!

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I believe you are correct in assuming, that you are not normal, because if many more people were like us, we would die out as a species.

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Got 3 cats sick of them too can't wait till my house is pet free

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Being old and lonely w no purpose is awesome.

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Well only if you do not want to the loooong line of your ancestors to end with you. Otherwise you don't have to )))

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We do have instincts to reproduce. That's why when we hit puberty everyone is so Horney, boys and girls. Remember? That's all it is, an instinct to reproduce.

When will this glorification of grandchildren and grandparents end?? I have friends who totally uprooted/discarded ctheir lives and moved across the country to be close to a grandchild. A grandparent has NO rights to any role in a child’s life other than what the child’s parents allow. And an adult has no obligation at all to provide her parent whatever pleasure or gratification a grandchild might give that person. You want a grandchild? Goddam adopt one for yourself or volunteer to help kids who need it.

Disgusting if your children read this.

First of all, you're too young to think that way. Second, is there something special about your family line? It doesn't really matter if it ends, tbh as long as you've got your affairs in order when you kick the bucket. Third, you don't need kids to appease someone.