BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids What age did you first meet a childfree person?

Obviously we've all 'met' childfree people online, but I'm wondering what age you were before you actually developed a friendship with someone who turned out to be most definitely childfree.

My first face to face meeting with a childfree woman was last night, so I was 34. How amazing to go out for a lovely meal at my partner's friend's house and to find out within 5 minutes of getting there that she is childfree. The rest of the evening was spent discovering so many more similarities but she just couldn't believe (at 42) that she had finally met someone who thought like her!

This will be the start of a great friendship I feel, we hit it off incredibly well.

I was 27. It was my (now) husband's aunt. I felt bad for her because she never married and was black balled by their family for not having babies, but, she is a smart, funny, incredible woman.

I was in college after I transferred to a 4 year university. I met several during my college years but not any that I would really call friends. I have a married friend who doesn't think she wants kids but her hubby does. They are both finishing up school so the issue has never been pressed. I guess time will tell what happens. I also have another friend who is about 34 and has been twice divorced and does not have kids but I have never asked her is she wants any.

Well, I've always known my aunt. She is technically childless though. She was unable to have children for medical reasons, and also wasn't allowed to adopt for the same reason. But, she's always been an inspiration to me. She has lived a crazy, fun, super fulfilled life: career, she still does her art, has traveled all over the world, has a loving husband, tons of friends, and a more active social life than me! If I'm half the woman she is by the time I'm her age (70), I'll be doing just fine.

My first boss when I was straight out of undergrad was adamant about being childfree (Biologists, I swear there is a significant [p-value < 0.05] amount of us compared with the rest of the world who are opting not to have kids). So, yeah, in my career, I've definitely met a few. Never men though; it's always the women. Strange.

I also always had my aunt as a childfree presence in my life. As a child I used to love visiting her as she and her husband were so different from the other stressed couples (with children) I'd come across and their house full of interesting non-child things. They always had time for us but were adamant they didn't want children. She's travelled all over the world, has a great (if slightly unusual job), has recently taken up salsa and sings in jazz clubs and has my dream house. She's never wanted children (had an abortion in her forties) and is now more a friend than an aunt - seems like the perfect deal to me!

Hm, I was...16 when I reunited with a girl I barely knew in high school. She was most definitely against kids, but we didn't last as friends, she's the ONLY person I've met and befriended who didn't want children. Finding a child free person where I live is like trying to find a needle in a hay stack.

I met many in college after I transferred to a 4 year university. Although I don't think any of them are what I would call friends. I have a young married friend now who does not want kids but her hubby does. They are both in school so it is not a pressing issue yet. I guess only time will tell what happens with them. I another friend (around 34 years old) who has been twice divorced and never had kids. I don't know if she does not want them or if there is some other reason for her not having them.

I've always known child-free people. Many in my family did not have children. We used to ask why when we were kids and the explanation always was there was some medical reason. And then came the pity.

But now I know that this wasn't always true. Some family members never married or married and didn't have children for their own valid reason: They didn't want to.

And now I see that no pity was necessary. It was a life choice. And for them, a good one.

Sorry to disappoint here, but people who say not to want children or not to be interested in children in college or high school... no wonder people who really mean it are not taken seriously, because back then, I used to know quite a few CFs, bit, unfortunately for me, they ALL eventually changed their minds. I have only known two real CFs, both are a couple of years older than me and I met them at 31/ 32. One became a close friend and she had a divorce behind her because of that.

I met the first CF woman 3 years ago. Back then, I thought I would have kids, so when she said she was 40 and childfree by choice, I was stunned to say the least (as in, OMG, there are women that don't have kids, ever?!). But now I totally understand (and admire) her.