I have a new friend who is a proud DINK (dual-income, no kids). I say yay for her.  She’s not young but not old. 30s maybe? Congratulations for getting to solid adulthood and not succumbing to the pressure to have kids.

My daughter swears she doesn’t want children. I have no problem with that. I’ve seen her around children and she’s not… real patient with them. She’d (so far) make a pretty bad parent. She’s slightly amused but easily annoyed by Kira and keeps her at arms length. Oh, she loves her but can’t wait until Kira’s older. I plan on supporting her decision to remain childless.

I have a another young friend. I’ve known her (online) since she was a teenager and knew she didn’t want children. She about bit my head off when I once mentioned that in my experience women often change their minds later in life depending on partner choice, professional success or family pressure. She’s still holding firm:

A metric SHIT-TON of people I know are pregnant or post-partum right now. And it’s freaking me out. Clearly, the only way to balance out the scales is for me to have a LOT of kinky protected sex, and then, I don’t know, strip naked and menstruate all over a Babies “R” Us or something, chanting, “TO BEHOLD MY ENDOMETRIUM IS TO BEHOLD YOUR DOOM. ALL SHALL LOVE ME AND DESPAIR.”

On a side note, this girl also kept me sane when my own children of the same age were getting into trouble and otherwise drove me nutso. I pin all my hopes for the future of mankind on her slender shoulders. (And I hope she doesn’t mind me stealing from her LJ as she’s vicious when provoked.)

I think no matter where my life had led had I made different decisions, I still would have wanted kids. But I completely support those who chose not to for whatever reason.

It’s all about personal choice. Women really don’t have to have children.