Does Anyone in Their 20's-30's NOT Have Kids?!? (Greenville: house, camp)

[skaternum]

Originally Posted by Greenville

And according to NewYorkBorn, Greenville has low income and low education levels. So that must mean that everyone in Greenville has kids.

There are plenty of DINKs in Greenville (Double Income, No Kids).

LOL at the NewYorkBorn comment. Yes, there are DINKS in Greenville. Probably more than in Spartanburg, but not as many as in Raleigh-Durham or Seattle.

And now that this thread is in danger of veering into the "having a family is sooooo wonderful and fulfilling" stuff, it's easy to see why the OP is frustrated. Not everyone finds their ultimate fulfillment in procreation. Oftentimes, those who do simply cannot understand how their truth doesn't hold for everyone else. Sometimes we childless-by-choice folks get tired of being lectured. So I truly hope this thread doesn't turn into that.

[BulldogFred]

Originally Posted by skaternum

LOL at the NewYorkBorn comment. Yes, there are DINKS in Greenville. Probably more than in Spartanburg, but not as many as in Raleigh-Durham or Seattle.

And now that this thread is in danger of veering into the "having a family is sooooo wonderful and fulfilling" stuff, it's easy to see why the OP is frustrated. Not everyone finds their ultimate fulfillment in procreation. Oftentimes, those who do simply cannot understand how their truth doesn't hold for everyone else. Sometimes we childless-by-choice folks get tired of being lectured. So I truly hope this thread doesn't turn into that.

You hit the nail on the head. It seems as though anytime we meet someone they'll ask if we have kids and when we say no it's all about when are we going to have them or why haven't we had them yet. As though life is not complete without kids. We've only been married almost 2 years now (anniversary later this month) and are still young and enjoying life. We might have kids later, we might not...but I agree that just because their decision was to have kids was best for them it doesn't mean that our decision not to have kids is worst for us. Our pets are our kids at this stage in the game (actually had to get up just a minute ago to separate them b/c the dog was chasing the cat..haha). We just know what we want right now and we're not going to compromise that because everyone else thinks they know what is best for us. Our original intention was to somewhat vent, but mainly to see if there are like-minded people around the area.

[Tinabean]

Originally Posted by Greenville

Um, this is because most married couples eventually choose to have children. That is not unique to the South!

Hey, Greenville, this thread is specifically about married folks without children sharing their thoughts and opinions. Gosh, we all have our opinions and a right to express them. Think you can quell the sarcasm and defensiveness? You are a real drag, man. And the unprovoked attack on New York Born wasn't nice either. I have had the opportunity to communicate directly with her and she is a very intelligent and cool lady. I hope your mean-spiritedness hasn't driven her away.

[Greenville]

Originally Posted by Tinabean

Hey, Greenville, this thread is specifically about married folks without children sharing their thoughts and opinions. Gosh, we all have our opinions and a right to express them. Think you can quell the sarcasm and defensiveness? You are a real drag, man. And the unprovoked attack on New York Born wasn't nice either. I have had the opportunity to communicate directly with her and she is a very intelligent and cool lady. I hope your mean-spiritedness hasn't driven her away.

Tinabean, I understand that this thread was started by someone who is married and who does not have kids. Does that preclude anyone who is not in that specific situation from providing input?

I am not "defending" anyone. I don't have a dog in this fight. If you or anyone else chooses not to have children, that's fine with me. I'm not sure if I want them, either. The point is that there are other married couples out there without children. Who knows, maybe you and your spouse will form the friendships you are looking for as a result of this thread.

[Tinabean]

Originally Posted by Greenville

Tinabean, I understand that this thread was started by someone who is married and who does not have kids. Does that preclude anyone who is not in that specific situation from providing input?

I am not "defending" anyone. I don't have a dog in this fight. If you or anyone else chooses not to have children, that's fine with me. I'm not sure if I want them, either. The point is that there are other married couples out there without children. Who knows, maybe you and your spouse will form the friendships you are looking for as a result of this thread.

You'll see in my post I said that everyone has a right to their opinion but your sarcasm and targeting of another forum member who is not even participating was bothersome to me. We don't need to attack others to make our points. Looking forward to future discussions, even when we disagree.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

On some of the California forums such as SF, LA, etc, the question would be:

"Is there someone, anyone out there, and I'm not talking adult children here, between the age of 18 and 50, who has kids?"

:-)

[Skyliner]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

On some of the California forums such as SF, LA, etc, the question would be:

"Is there someone, anyone out there, and I'm not talking adult children here, between the age of 18 and 50, who has kids?"

:-)

That is very sad, in my opinion. California, considered by many people to be one of the most progressive and educated states in the U.S., also has the nation's worst credit rating, a rising unemployment rate, and a perpetually high cost of living.

[Greenville]

Originally Posted by Tinabean

You'll see in my post I said that everyone has a right to their opinion but your sarcasm and targeting of another forum member who is not even participating was bothersome to me. We don't need to attack others to make our points. Looking forward to future discussions, even when we disagree.

My reference to another poster was in jest based on that poster's propensity for negative, misleading, and sometimes factually incorrect posts in just about every thread. Those posts were frequently off-topic with the same information as in previous posts. I'm sorry if my humor was lost on you.

[GoCocks]

In all seriousness, I believe living in the bible belt has a lot to do with it. A lot of it has to do with the fact that most of us born and raised in this area are loyal to God, family, and country.....in that order. We were born and raised with huge extended families. I grew up playing daily with my cousins, etc. I had friends in college from up north, who had cousins they had never met. I think, for us, its a natural progression to have kids and settle down. Its the lifestyle we've always know. I'm not saying one way is better than the other, its just some of the cultural differences in the south vs other areas of the country. I was one of those who thought I would never have kids, but now that I do, I can't imagine life without them. But this is really getting off topic. Bottom line is, sure, a lot of families have kids here but there are plenty that don't. Head downtown tonight and you will meet quite a few. Any area of the country you move to will have some things you like and some you dislike. You just have to decide for yourself what's right for you. We loved it here before we had kids and we love it here now that we do.

[ga2email]

just have kids and stop whining.