When I share my feelings..

My best friend is not married, my good friends don't have children and never adopted.It is their choice, I don't go on doling out sympathy., I just enjoy their company and what they mean to me. I wonder why people say hurtful things...It certainly doesn't grant them any peace

I suppose I am lucky then, I too am single without children but so far few people have made references to my circumstances. I do know that the hispanic community here thinks all women should have children but I disagree, I did not want to bring children into this world we are living in right now, it's a cruel place in many respects and back then (I'm 68) it just seemed to be such an unfair place for women.

I am also unmarried and childless. I get fed up with other women telling me that I will never be a "whole woman" because I don't have children. Friends with kids tell me that I don't know how wonderful life can be because I don't have a family of my own. They rub in my face that they have amazing kids and then tell me I can babysit theirs since I can't have any. Because not having kids means I have no life of my own and would want to babysit their brats? I get told that local activities aren't meant for people like me, they are meant for families and if I want to do anything for entertainment I can just travel to another city because I don't have kids keeping me at home, and if I don't enjoy being around kids at certain events (like going to a movie or a nice restaurant in the evening that is meant for adults but rude people bring their kids with them, who are rowdy and noisy) then I should just stay home. Because the world is meant for people with kids, not those of us without them. When I used to work at my old job, my boss wouldn't give me as many hours because "I didn't have kids and didn't need as much money as the moms." Did I not have bills? Did I not need to pay rent? There is a lot of discrimination against childless women. People act like there must be something wrong with us and if you have a partner, he must not really love you because he won't have kids with you. (I have heard that one many times before.) Women who have children often act like they are superior to me because they are moms and that's a part of womanhood I will never know or understand. They act like their uterus is made of gold because it can produce offspring. It is infuriating. I was never sure if I wanted to have kids and earlier this year found out that I can't have them. It is hurtful when people rub it in my face that I will never know that part of life. Or when they act like I'm someone to be pitied because I will never know "unconditional love" like they do. Personally I do not think women need to be mothers to have fulfilling, meaningful lives, but apparently most other women believe otherwise. Men don't tend to care one way or the other, in my experience, although occasionally one will ask when I'm going to have kids. Some people can't stand that there are adults in the world who don't have children I guess.

In my life I have lost three children one stillborn. Long ago realized I would have no children and if anyone was hurtful enough to make some unwanted comments I never spoke to them again. No reason why everyone in this world has to have children.

I do not have children and I am divorced. When I was younger it bothered me being the only person without a child. But I was never childless, All the nieces and nephews made my house their hang out and the parents were okay with it because they knew I would take care of them.

That was very well put. I was married and had a miscarriage and I was angry wanted to hit pregnant women because I did not think it was fair that I could not be a Mom. I never got the chance again and it took me a long time to figure out why I lost my baby. It didn't make me feel better, but, it made me aware of why it happened. Judaism and Israel is a family place and it is very hard because the only family I have is my cat. I am very glad to have her, but, not happy that we have no other family here to be with on our holidays. It hurts alot and I truly understand what you are saying here. I had someone ask if I had children and I told him no I do not have human ones. I have a cat and he did not understand. Instead he judged me and he had no clue why I do not have human children.

Amen and never judge, only thing Americans love more than corporations is family/ That being said, not sure why all these countries that so embrace family want to move here. No values, straight greed and they hate colored people. Besides, Trump not letting anyone come here unless there us jail cell involved.

So on top of the ridicule, they want you to give your fortune to their children..oh my gosh..to hell with them.

I'm so sorry that you have experienced this sort of thing Vanny - there is room for all of us in the world - we don't have to all conform to the 'married, two kids' thing. Everyone is an individual, and I neither envy nor condemn those that have a different lifestyle from me - I just accept them for who they are.

If you are at peace then let it be.

Everyone's circumstances are different. Maybe they have not found the perfect partner, or they have fertility problems or just don't think bringing a child into this world is a good idea. To tease someone about their choices or problems is pretty mean. Sometimes when things in this world are just so bad it's unbelievable I think about my choice to have children, and while my sons are my life, I wonder did I make the right decision.

This is something that people just need to get over it. It's high time already. It's your life, your hard earned money and your wishes. Let the greedy ones drool all over their floors. They dirty their own house.

One of my favorite aunt was a spinster (she passed away) but all her nieces and nephews adored her. She put many through college and was always the life of the party during family gatherings. Married life is not for everyone.

Not everyone has a perfect life we were made different and everyone is unique in their own way. There are many married and having more problems than those that are unmarried and there are also those with children who are more problematic that those without. I always believe there is a reason for everything in life and God makes us pass through all these with a reason. No use judging others.

Yes, 40, never married, no children, but no one will dare tell me what I must do with what I own or how I should live my life. They can make silly jokes all they like, I live my life my way. You have the right to live as you want, vanny.