Why having children is not compulsory

It used to bother me more when I was younger. All those questions from family and friends;
When are you going to start a family?, Are we going to hear the patter of tiny feet soon?,
Don’t you like children?
No, it’s not that I don’t like children, I’ve just never really wanted any of my own. I’m happy
to be around them, play with them, talk to them and joke with them…. and then happily give
them back to their parents. I like my life exactly the way it is, why would I want to change it
for the next 16 or 18 years? I like having time to myself, I enjoy my hobbies and I love
travelling. Why give it all up?
Am I being selfish? Perhaps I am, but on the other hand don’t people often have kids for the
wrong reasons. Society often pushes couples into starting a family, just because ‘it’s time’, it’s
the next step after marriage, a house and a dog. Some even have children so that they won’t be
alone when they reach old age, or because they want to give their parents grandchildren.
Hardly sound, logical reasons, in my opinion.
Don’t get me wrong, I have endless admiration for my friends who are bringing up kids. To be
frank, don’t know how they manage it, and hold down a job and a successful marriage. I honestly
don’t think I’d be able to do that.
Everyone I know who has kids say how rewarding is, how proud they are and how happy to have
brought children into the world. And I’m happy that they’re happy, but I know it’s not for me.

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