LizT Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Is it just me or......this is something I've often wondered and I'm ready with my flame suit on. But yes, over the years I have observed a number of my non children friends who have animals and have noticed that many of them, think of their pets as their children and also appear to actively dislike children. Why is this? I mean I know children are hard work and have their rewards and challenges, but hey, they were kids once too. There are many well behaved, nicely raised kids out there that are a credit to the future so why do some people get all anti-kids about it? So why the "not renting to families with kids" etc. On a plane returning to Australia from Vienna an old woman sat beside me, glanced at my 6 months old baby, pulled a sour face, called the flight attendant and stated "I specifically requested NOT to be seated next to one of those"! She got moved. I will admit sometimes other peoples kid annoy me when I see their mothers let them run amuk in shopping centres etc. but that does not colour my attitude towards ALL children, either prior to becoming a mother 22 years ago or after. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I have dogs and I don't have kids but I certainly don't hate them. That said, there are some vitriolic children haters out there but I don't believe having a pet influences that. I don't understand it either - everyone was once a child. I also struggle with the "I like well behaved kids, not brats" too. Pushing boundaries is part of growing up. Even the most angelic children that I know have done one or two naughty things. Babies cry. Everyone just needs to get over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheridan Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I don't like children, never have. I don't have to like children so I fail to see why it bothers anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) Why is this? Because human nature is variable and there are some aspects of children that aren't very likeable, often starting with their parents. You don't have to hate kids to ask not to be seated next to one on a long haul flight. They often don't make for a restful trip. For the record - I don't hate kids. I don't love them either. They're little individuals and I can take them or leave them depending on their personalities and their parenting. Frankly I feel the same way about dogs. But if you want me to gush with unreserved affection and coo at something - show me a puppy. ;) Edited March 1, 2012 by Telida Whippets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) I have dogs and I don't have kids but I certainly don't hate them. That said, there are some vitriolic children haters out there but I don't believe having a pet influences that. I don't understand it either - everyone was once a child. I also struggle with the "I like well behaved kids, not brats" too. Pushing boundaries is part of growing up. Even the most angelic children that I know have done one or two naughty things. Babies cry. Everyone just needs to get over it. some people just don't have the patience to deal with it. some people are also very sensitive to high pitched noises. Why do they need to get over it if they don't have any? Not everyone likes pets. Not everyone is the same. I don't see why it is a problem. to each his own. Edited March 1, 2012 by Cat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizT Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 I don't like children, never have. I don't have to like children so I fail to see why it bothers anyone. Fair 'nuf. No one has to like children. So long as you are not a Primary School teacher or Child care worker I'm okay with that. But, if I may ask, is it ALL children, is there a reason or is it just "how you feel"? How do you interact with children if required to? Do you acknowledge them or are you dismissive of them? I mean, I don't like every adult (or child) I meet either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I'm not keen on children, I actually find them rather irritating and certainly wouldn't want to be seated next to a baby or a child on a long haul flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allerzeit Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I don't actively dislike children - I'm not comfortable around them, don't enjoy being around them or interacting with them, and don't want any, ever. I don't think of my pets as children, they're animals not little furry people. I certainly don't think that my love of animals has anything to do with my disinterest in children. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) I don't think of my pets as children, they're animals not little furry people. I certainly don't think that my love of animals has anything to do with my disinterest in children. Ditto. I hate the expression "furkids". Make owners sounds like twits IMO. Edited March 1, 2012 by Telida Whippets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I don't like children, never have. I don't have to like children so I fail to see why it bothers anyone. Fair 'nuf. No one has to like children. So long as you are not a Primary School teacher or Child care worker I'm okay with that. But, if I may ask, is it ALL children, is there a reason or is it just "how you feel"? How do you interact with children if required to? Do you acknowledge them or are you dismissive of them? I mean, I don't like every adult (or child) I meet either. I would have to say that I pretty much dislike all children, if I'm required to interact with them (I avoid this like the plague :laugh: ) I will say 'hello' and then dismiss them. I absolutely hate it when they push toys at me or keep asking questions, I'm up and away as soon as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miranda Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Ditto. I hate the expression "furkids". Make owners sounds like twits IMO. Same here TW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Why does someone have to give a reason. I have dogs there not my surrogate kids,there my pets . I don't want kids ,there not something i wish to share in my life. Just because we where all kids once doesn't mean we should have them . Most people who don't want kids are quite capable of interacting with them so don't see what the big deal is or why people see this as something weird ?? I don't like being around ill mannered children ,i don't like being around children whose parents think its fine to send them off to annoy others whilst they have fun,i don't like being around children 24/7 . I like children in small doses & those that are respectful & a pleasure to be around . I have no time for parents that push there kids on to you because it may make you want them Kids are for special people .i am NOT a special kid person & would never be so selfish to have a kid just because . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atanquin Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I don't hate them, but I don't really want any myself just don't have that maternal instinct. I find baby's smelly and loud but I would never be rude about sitting next to one :) that's what baby's are and we where ALL like that once. On a long flight I wouldn't mind I have head phones with movies and music plus I never sleep on them as they too uncomfortable. I I did find it to much I would ask nicely to be moved and not make a scene. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corrie Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I don't think of my pets as children, they're animals not little furry people. I certainly don't think that my love of animals has anything to do with my disinterest in children. Ditto. I hate the expression "furkids". Make owners sounds like twits IMO. Same. Skin kids is also one I dislike. I really like kids. It is generally the parents I find annoying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raineth Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Yeah I have noticed it too. I think its just about political correctness. Its generally no longer pc to make nasty remarks about people according to race or colour, or to elderly people, but its still generally ok to make disparaging comments about children. It doesn't bother me if people don't like children. But I think its quite off to be rude simply because they are a child. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hortfurball Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 *Dons flame suit* Never had kids and no intention of doing so, and please don't pass me your baby to hold because I simply don't understand why you'd want me to hold it, nor why you'd think I'd want to. Just because I was once one, doesn't mean I have to like them by default. So why the "not renting to families with kids" etc. This is just an acknowledgement that kids can be just as, if not more, destructive than dogs, so why should dog owners be treated as if they have leprosy when renting, yet there isn't even a 'child bond'. As to the rest, there is a difference between disliking children, and choosing not to 'hang out with' them. I don't 'dislike' children, but I do dislike a lot of things that tend to come with them, in particular - noise and smell. I'll be the first to admit that I wouldn't want to sit next to a child on a plane, and would probably request not to. If it's a baby, it is probably going to get stressed by the change in pressure, and wail, and is also highly likely to need to go to the toilet at some stage. With my superhuman sense of smell, the other end of the plane is close enough thanks. As to the wailing, while I would feel pity for the baby because it doesn't know why its ears hurt nor how to alleviate it, I would also want to be nowhere near that amount of constant and not very pleasant noise, which I'm afraid, would outweigh the pity. If it's a toddler or a few years older, it will be bored out of it's brain stuck on a long flight and my patience for "but Muuuuummm..." (or any other repetitive whining) will run out long before doting mum's will. If you have a well behaved child that will wait til the adults pause in conversation to say "Excuse me mummy"(or will interrupt to say excuse me, but then wait) , will play nicely with my dogs and cats and won't destroy my garden or shred the leaves of my plants, feel free to bring your child when you visit. If you have a child who will do the 'excuse me mummy' thing over and over at the top of its lungs until you yell "WHAT?" everytime you have spent more than two seconds in conversation instead of focussed on them, and when not interrupting, will demolish whatever it can lay its hands on, chase the cats and pull the dog's tail, I'm probably not going to invite you more than once unless you are willing to leave said child at home until it grows out of this stage. Having said all that, if a child, ANY child, was in genuine trouble, consider this a safe haven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 The ones to worry about are the animal haters that don't like kids. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remarkabull Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I have children and dogs. I love my kids, but I definitely am not keen on kids in general. I also would ask what exactly is wrong with disliking kids? We all have our preferences and as long as people are not going around hurting kids I really don't care if people hate them or not. I remarried almost 2 years ago and my husband, who is 5 years younger than I, thankfully has no desire to have children of his own. We will be sticking with dogs from now on :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizT Posted March 1, 2012 Author Share Posted March 1, 2012 I have to say I probably would prefer not to sit next to a baby on a long haul flight today. It was more this womans tone and expression of utter disgust that shocked me. The only other time I have seen this attitude was with reference to a racial vilification towards a dark skinned person. I witnessed this as a child and still clearly feel the hatred and the shock that resonated through my small self. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) I have to say I probably would prefer not to sit next to a baby on a long haul flight today. It was more this womans tone and expression of utter disgust that shocked me. The only other time I have seen this attitude was with reference to a racial vilification towards a dark skinned person. I witnessed this as a child and still clearly feel the hatred and the shock that resonated through my small self. it may not have anything to do with her not liking kids. She might but she also may have just been angry that she had requested something and it had not been followed through. Or she just might be rude. i wouldn't be happy about it either, but chances are I'd just deal with it Edited March 1, 2012 by Cat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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