Do you discriminate against those who choose not to have children?
“Our data suggests that not having children is seen not only as atypical or surprising, but also as morally wrong.”
Image: Painting by Brianna Keeper
Choosing to Be Childless Comes at a Cost
Needull in a haystack 
It’s interesting how pervasive certain stories are in our culture. We have this ideological sense that the proper path is to go to college, get a job, get married, and have children. In many cases certain positions of power are barred to those who don’t follow that narrative.
We are not even aware of some of these biases
Indeed. I remember reading somewhere that little things like seeing a character’s New York apartment and hearing their profession creates a sense that “someone in that profession should earn enough to afford an apartment of that caliber in New York City”, which is often far from accurate. It’s often the subtle, background details, that so twist our perceptions, often without even meaning to.
It’s harmful on a psychological level.
To have or not have children is a choice, and just like other choices we make it should be made freely without penalty or bias.
I don’t have children, by choice, but I think that people perceive you as selfish if you don’t. I don’t quite understand that thinking because, basically, this is only a little planet. Everyone does not need to reproduce. And look at all of those who do, without really thinking about it, and wind up neglecting and/or abusing their children. I’ve always thought there should be some sort of tax incentive for people who don’t have kids.
It’s also important to remember that not everybody without children is voluntarily childless as the article seems to imply (referring to parenting as a choice). Infertility affects one in eight couples, and fertility treatments like IVF and adoption both cost in the five digits. Having been through it myself and so many people asking me if I have kids after years of trying (and failed adoption when the program closed), and spent nearly $70,000, leaving us with virtually no savings in our forties? It’s not as black and white as many folks think.
If you’ve been battling infertility, having children is NOT a “choice”.
I never wanted children and I have never regretted it. surprises me anyone would want kids.