3 ms·

I wouldn't call the concept of parenthood cultural. There's a pretty substantial biological component.

monktastic1 9y ago
Parent comment seems to be referring to concepts such as "it is a burden" or "it is a noble sacrifice."
jdietrich 9y ago
It's aggressively reinforced on a cultural level. There's a huge stigma against not having children, let alone advocating that other people should consider following suit. If you've consciously made the decision to not have children, people feel quite free to call you selfish or immature. You're likely to be bombarded by relatives asking "when are you going to have children?" People with children often take your decision as a personal attack on their choice. The top comment on this thread can be surmised as "Having children is hard, but ultimately worthwhile", but the commenter felt the need to use a throwaway account. A lot of people find it easier to lie and say that they're infertile. http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1007/s11199-016-0606-1?shared_access_token=o5-yjTCSXk2gmjGnHJtq-_e4RwlQNchNByi7wbcMAY6f7ucxWO4RvrMbWtzmxG22tYu1HcZulOE27rEa8ZrIws19coFsI0U8KTc4JHiFZ85O0Zvk2L8M9qN3nBZH-Azs_BLXZRS_b1kDadIYYk6PEy2UJRq8VN9IHTjs23JInPE%3D http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1007/s11199-016-0606-1?s...
vigilantpuma 9y ago
Really? In this comment page alone we have shit like: "Final point, and one that I am cautious to make for not wanting to offend anyone needlessly: I know plenty of singles and couples who are childless, and several that are childless by choice. Suffice it to say that my anecdotal view is that sadness, eccentricity, and empty hedonism seem to develop over time in these couples, especially in the women." "Spot on with the final point. I have 3, now aged 22, 19 & 16. I like to joke that I have parentdar: it's like gaydar, I just know if someone is a parent or not without them telling me. There's a selfcentredness about the childless that gives itself away in a thousand minor tells. It's more pronounced in women than men."

Parent comment seems to be referring to concepts such as "it is a burden" or "it is a noble sacrifice."

It's aggressively reinforced on a cultural level. There's a huge stigma against not having children, let alone advocating that other people should consider following suit. If you've consciously made the decision to not have children, people feel quite free to call you selfish or immature. You're likely to be bombarded by relatives asking "when are you going to have children?" People with children often take your decision as a personal attack on their choice. The top comment on this thread can be surmised as "Having children is hard, but ultimately worthwhile", but the commenter felt the need to use a throwaway account. A lot of people find it easier to lie and say that they're infertile. http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1007/s11199-016-0606-1?shared_access_token=o5-yjTCSXk2gmjGnHJtq-_e4RwlQNchNByi7wbcMAY6f7ucxWO4RvrMbWtzmxG22tYu1HcZulOE27rEa8ZrIws19coFsI0U8KTc4JHiFZ85O0Zvk2L8M9qN3nBZH-Azs_BLXZRS_b1kDadIYYk6PEy2UJRq8VN9IHTjs23JInPE%3D http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1007/s11199-016-0606-1?s...

vigilantpuma 9y ago

Really? In this comment page alone we have shit like: "Final point, and one that I am cautious to make for not wanting to offend anyone needlessly: I know plenty of singles and couples who are childless, and several that are childless by choice. Suffice it to say that my anecdotal view is that sadness, eccentricity, and empty hedonism seem to develop over time in these couples, especially in the women." "Spot on with the final point. I have 3, now aged 22, 19 & 16. I like to joke that I have parentdar: it's like gaydar, I just know if someone is a parent or not without them telling me. There's a selfcentredness about the childless that gives itself away in a thousand minor tells. It's more pronounced in women than men."