It’s hilarious how people are attacked by others just for sharing what they don’t like. Societal pressure is so massive that most of us don’t even dream of speaking up. Especially if you don’t want to be a parent ot hate being one.
Let’s say I browse in a produce section and say to a person standing near me, “These tomatoes don’t look too good. In fact, I don’t like tomatoes at all.” She would look at me funny, maybe even smile and that would be it. But say something like “Boy, these kids over there are annoying.” Or “I don’t actually like anything to do with children.” And you have just committed the most heinous offence there is.
Years back I thought that being a gay in a backwards place like Russia was worse than being a serial killer (which is true). Now I think, being disinterested in parenting/procreating carries as much vitriol. I can’t help but wonder why. Why is it that everyone around is short of yelling how badly you need to become a parent and how horrible you are if you don’t want to. I have a theory — it is the most miserable parents who yell the loudest that you have to have children and what an endless joy it is.
I read the most amazing revelations online. Though exposed to immediate attack from others, a few of those who regret becoming a parent still share their horror stories. My heart aches for them. I can’t even begin to imagine the life they found themselves trapped in. And trapped is the key word, because there is no way out of parenthood once you got a child. It is your responsibility and you can’t just pass it on if you want to opt out. And worse yet, what if your own child drives you mad? Good luck sharing this one with others, you will be burnt at the stake.
Those people are truly stuck. Yet, it is clear what has to be done within society. Instead of coercing people to procreate, they should be warned about the massive burden and responsibility it is. About the impact just one more human being will have on finite resources and well-being of those who are already here. And the planet, it’s biosphere, how we are wiping it out. I am not going there, because nobody cares about that. The nature, all those creatures that we haven’t yet killed are far away, unseen. Dead or alive, they won’t effect people driving to the mall to get more junk they don’t need.
It would be silly to think that one day people will turn around and instead of biting somebody’s head off they will say something like: “You don’t want to be a parent? Makes sence. And it is your choice after all.” So I don’t. I figure the baby mania will last forever. Unless oil runs out, but it won’t.
Published: 2025