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Kids R Not Us -- Embracing the decision not to procreate
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 3/4/7 | Katherine Seligman

Posted on 03/04/2007 12:53:59 PM PST by SmithL

It was time for the "Childfree Landslide News." Christine Fisher leaned forward and announced this in a soft voice that would sound surprisingly strong when it aired as part of her weekly (at least on Mars, she says, where weeks are 13 days) online show, the "Adult Space Child Free Podcast." She had just put in a day at the pharmaceutical company where she works and was home in her Newark apartment, shoes off, with her husband flopped on a sofa reading in the next room and her two cats roaming underfoot.

She started the podcast, a medley of commentary, news and personal narrative, to reach an audience outside "diaperland" about a year ago. Fisher knew as early as third grade that she did not want children. She had no interest in games that involved playing house or cooing over babies. In the world of childfree men and women, she is what's known as an "early articulator." Now 32, she has had her share of friends who became temporarily unavailable or disappeared when they had kids. Even in the Bay Area, which Fisher finds one of the better places for childfree mingling because of its cultural diversity -- San Francisco has one of the lowest ratios of kids of any U.S. city -- it can be hard for the childfree to connect.

Her listeners are a far-flung demographic, with a few hundred of various ages mostly in the United States, but also scattered as far away as the United Arab Emirates, Norway and Uruguay....Then, in what's become her signature end to the show, she leaned into the microphone and said, "This is Chris the Fixed Kitty saying, 'Keep from breeding!' "

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: California
KEYWORDS: childfree; childless; christinefisher; crazycatlady; hopeless; sanfranciscovalues
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San Francisco Childfree Meetup founder Valerie Francescato at home with one of her cats.


1 posted on 03/04/2007 12:54:03 PM PST by SmithL
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To: SmithL

My cat is cuter.


2 posted on 03/04/2007 12:55:01 PM PST by Tax-chick (Every "choice" has a direct object.)
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Even the cat seems to dislike her.


3 posted on 03/04/2007 12:55:30 PM PST by SmithL (si vis pacem, para bellum)
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To: SmithL

You can tell she doesn't have children because she's got a coffee maker sitting on the kitchen floor. My sons would turn that into a nuclear reactor in less time than it took her to arrest that obviously-aggrieved cat.


4 posted on 03/04/2007 12:56:03 PM PST by Tax-chick (Every "choice" has a direct object.)
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To: SmithL

Well, if she doesn't have kids, that's fewer moonbats in the next generation. I encourage all liberals to use birth control freely. :)

}:-)4


5 posted on 03/04/2007 12:56:29 PM PST by Moose4 (I don't speed in Durham--if I get pulled for 65 in a 55, Mike Nifong'll have me doing 15 to life.)
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To: Moose4

Demographics. We'll breed you out.


6 posted on 03/04/2007 12:57:27 PM PST by StAthanasiustheGreat (Vocatus Atque Non Vocatus Deus Aderit)
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To: SmithL
Thats nice.

NEEEEXXXXXTTTTTT .......... !

7 posted on 03/04/2007 12:59:21 PM PST by Mr_Moonlight
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To: SmithL

The cat does not look happy.


8 posted on 03/04/2007 1:00:21 PM PST by GSlob
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To: SmithL

Yeah, there's definitely a little bit of "you make kitty scared" in that expression.


9 posted on 03/04/2007 1:01:05 PM PST by RichInOC (The San Francisco Bay Area is bad for children and other living things.)
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To: SmithL

Both Bill and Hillary would hit that anwyay...


10 posted on 03/04/2007 1:01:45 PM PST by JRios1968 (Tagline wanted...inquire within)
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To: SmithL
Okay, I guess for a human interest story. People not having children either through choice or chance is not a big deal, anymore, so this isn't exactly earth-shattering. I do find it a little amusing that no one in San Francisco has a problem with adults that want to live "child-free" wanting to go places where they won't encounter children, but would be up in arms if someone started a "gay free" podcast for people who didn't want to be around homosexuals.

It's a small-time podcast with a miniscule audience, run by someone who sounds a little bit nutty and self-absorbed. No big deal, and none of my business, but I notice that for the San Francisco two income no children so smug they're in love with the smell of their own f*rts crowd, the right to freely associate or not is a one way street.

11 posted on 03/04/2007 1:02:43 PM PST by Richard Kimball (Why yes, I do have a stupid picture for any occasion)
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To: SmithL

Only two cats? Usually those of her ilk have no less than ten. What a piker. ;)

I don' t have any kids of my own. I have never had the urge to give birth to any, either. However, God saw what a WONDERFUL woman I am, and blessed me with three boys to raise anyway; my StepSon and my two Nephews. :)

I sure ended up with a houseful for someone who never wanted kids, LOL!

I'm glad folks like her don't want to breed. That constant "I Never Really Wanted You, Anyway" carping is really hard on kids. ;)


12 posted on 03/04/2007 1:02:53 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: Tax-chick
My cat is cuter.

My cats are WAY cuter. One is laying across my arm right now, interfering with my typing.

13 posted on 03/04/2007 1:03:40 PM PST by SandyInSeattle (I made it home! Hello, Seattle! It's Raining! Woo Hoo!)
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To: Moose4

Unfortunately, ideology is not hereditary. And things like this are only contributing to the decline of the West. Affluence engenders decadence.


14 posted on 03/04/2007 1:04:48 PM PST by Cyclopean Squid (Patron Saint of Mediocrity)
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To: JRios1968
online show, the "Adult Space Child Free Podcast."

Ain't the Internet wonderful? It allows every crackpot to have their 15 minutes of fame to spew their nonesense .... myself included ;-)

15 posted on 03/04/2007 1:05:26 PM PST by Mr_Moonlight
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To: SmithL

So with all those pots and pans in her kitchen, who does she cook for? The cats?


16 posted on 03/04/2007 1:07:41 PM PST by LibFreeOrDie (L'Chaim!)
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To: SmithL

I like cheese
Do you like cheese

Oh goody, lets form a focus group, a club
exclude and castrate those who do not like cheese
Oh yes, send me money so I can educate you into
how evil it is to not like cheese,
Sic the Lawyers on un-likers
Until every one likes cheese

BTW - that cat looks pissed
mine like to snuggle


17 posted on 03/04/2007 1:12:10 PM PST by HangnJudge
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To: SandyInSeattle
Tax-Chick: My cat is cuter.

SandyInSeatle: My cats are WAY cuter. One is laying across my arm right now, interfering with my typing.

Utt ohhh, a catfight ....... /grin

18 posted on 03/04/2007 1:12:46 PM PST by Mr_Moonlight
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To: LibFreeOrDie

"So with all those pots and pans in her kitchen, who does she cook for? The cats?"

Adam and Steve, the gay upstairs neighbors? Nah. They'd be in control of the kitchen duties, most likely. And would have BETTER cookware, too! ;)


19 posted on 03/04/2007 1:13:53 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: SmithL

Look, if she doesn't want to have kids, that's fine, but there's no need to form an organization about it, which will inevitably escalate into demanding special rights and privileges. Besides, who'd want to procreate with these broads anyway? These women couldn't get a man if it was closing time at the bar and were the only gals inside of it.


20 posted on 03/04/2007 1:15:07 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist (Good night Chesty, wherever you are!)
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To: HangnJudge

How about an online community for those whose sisters have been bitten by moose...meese...mooses...eh...


21 posted on 03/04/2007 1:15:20 PM PST by JRios1968 (Tagline wanted...inquire within)
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To: SandyInSeattle

My cats like to sit on the desk next to my computer and read Free Republic. They're cuter and smarter:)


22 posted on 03/04/2007 1:15:56 PM PST by Sabatier
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To: SmithL

I honestly don't think it is any of my business if someone decides to have 1 child, a dozen or no children. It would never occur to me to question any woman about her procreation plans. Nor can I think of anyone who would be so rude.

So just where are these legions of agony aunts and busy bees who are unable to restrain themselves from assaulting the childess? Where are all the people making these poor women feel so defensive and indignant?
Where are these thundering herds calling out " breed, breed, BREED"? What? You don't know. Don't be surprised, I can't see or hear them either.

I think the persons in the article are more obsessed with their own choice than anyone else. If they are so confident why the need for support groups, self justification and cats? Why the superior sneer and disdain evident in their statements about children and parenthood.?

I think quite frankly that too many have probably told them " frankly my dear, I don't give a damn" and now they wnat back in the limelight. A few hours with a colicky child ought shut em up for a while.


23 posted on 03/04/2007 1:16:34 PM PST by lastchance
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To: SmithL
May she have her wish....

Rule, Darwin.

24 posted on 03/04/2007 1:16:42 PM PST by SteveMcKing
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To: SmithL

to each their own.......but whose gonna pay for HER AND HER HUSBANDS social security when they retire??? if we don't at least replace the population social secutiy will become extinct and there will be a shitload of elderly and NO ONE to take care of them.

probably some poor unsuspecting neice or nephew will get stuck taking care of old aunt so and so.


25 posted on 03/04/2007 1:16:56 PM PST by annelizly
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To: SandyInSeattle; Tax-chick

And my kids are even cuter. And they like to be with me.


26 posted on 03/04/2007 1:20:40 PM PST by mockingbyrd (peace begins in the womb)
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To: JRios1968
How about an online community for those whose sisters have been bitten by moose...meese...mooses...eh...

Moose bit, ohhh a victim consortium
27 posted on 03/04/2007 1:22:01 PM PST by HangnJudge
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To: Mr_Moonlight

My cat has lately become jealous of my computer. He has taken to lying across the keyboard.


28 posted on 03/04/2007 1:24:14 PM PST by stayathomemom
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To: mockingbyrd

And my great-granddaughters and great-grandson are even cuter.


29 posted on 03/04/2007 1:30:10 PM PST by Ole Okie
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To: stayathomemom; Tax-chick; Mr_Moonlight

One of my cats, Tori, is a "daddy's girl". When he's out of town, she gets all needy and decides to snuggle with me while I'm on the computer.

The other day she helped me do my tax return, which involved a great deal of nipping, purring, head butting, repeated attempts to drink out of my glass, and sticking her tail in my face. Amazing that I was able to accomplish anything!


30 posted on 03/04/2007 1:30:38 PM PST by SandyInSeattle (I made it home! Hello, Seattle! It's Raining! Woo Hoo!)
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To: SmithL

Why is this lady holding a stuffed cat?


31 posted on 03/04/2007 1:32:12 PM PST by MikeGranby
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To: Mr_Moonlight
Ain't the Internet wonderful? It allows every crackpot to have their 15 minutes of fame to spew their nonesense .... myself included ;-)

I'm pleased that you added the humorous caveat at the end of the sentence since it is not nonsense to not want to be a parent. There's a lot of messed-up kids out there who are in the shape they're in because they were conceived by people who should not have become parents in the first place, some knew it, some didn't, but they did it anyway.

Surely, you and I can agree that parenthood is not for everyone. No? And if so, why would you want to call this lady a crackpot?

32 posted on 03/04/2007 1:35:44 PM PST by OldPossum
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist
These women couldn't get a man if it was closing time at the bar and were the only gals inside of it.

Hey, man, take another look. She looks a lot better than a lot of mothers I've seen. And I am perfectly sober. You're really straining to make a generalization when there is contrary evidence right before your eyes.

33 posted on 03/04/2007 1:39:24 PM PST by OldPossum
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To: annelizly

The whole idea behind social security is that your money grows interest and is a nice nest egg when you're ready to retire. Of course, the government just spent the money and now engages in a ponzi scheme. It isn't her fault though!


34 posted on 03/04/2007 1:48:45 PM PST by ItisaReligionofPeace
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To: SmithL

I really wish here mother made the decision to be child free.

San Francisco is simply the most psychologically delusional' brain-dead' idiotic' maniacal fantasy land in the entire USA. The Big Earthquake simply can't happen soon enough, if only to give idiots like this something serious in their lives to attend to, instead of this banal crap.


35 posted on 03/04/2007 1:56:07 PM PST by Freedom_Is_Not_Free
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To: SmithL
"..San Francisco has one of the lowest ratios of kids of any U.S. city.."

No Surprise there, the Gay Capitol of the US.

36 posted on 03/04/2007 1:56:12 PM PST by Anti-Bubba182
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Quote: "Look, if she doesn't want to have kids, that's fine, but there's no need to form an organization about it, which will inevitably escalate into demanding special rights and privileges."

But there is a need. Here constant need to convince herself of the big lie that people don't naturally desire children and families. Some people decide not to have children and move on, happy with themselves. Wacked-out liberal freaks like her can't deal with the reality that she missed out on having children and now she has to try to solicit acceptance for that from every individual on the planet. Typical liberal idiocy - screw up and then try to garner praise and acceptance and validation for screwing up.


37 posted on 03/04/2007 2:01:23 PM PST by Freedom_Is_Not_Free
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To: SmithL

I'm always THRILLED when I hear of someone deciding to not have kids.

Deciding to not be a parent, essentially, clips those genes from the tree of life like you snap a sucker off of an orange tree...It makes the tree stronger.


38 posted on 03/04/2007 2:01:25 PM PST by bannie
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To: SmithL

You go Valerie.

PUH LEEZE: NO BREEDING. I believe narcissism is passed along.

But Valerie, no fair adopting some international orphan child when your cat dies at 16, your ovaries reach their 48th year and your "biological clock" loses its last battery.


39 posted on 03/04/2007 2:01:31 PM PST by silverleaf (Fasten your seat belts- it's going to be a BUMPY ride.)
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To: OldPossum
Surely, you and I can agree that parenthood is not for everyone.

Absolutely, as I am single and childless at 47 years, never wanting to father because I don't feel I'd be a good father. So what?

No? And if so, why would you want to call this lady a crackpot?

I don't advertise my life decisions on the Internet, she does, and celebrates it, even to the point of getting an SF Chronicle article written about it. Thats the difference.

My 'humorous' quip was about the Internet in general, not on any particular issue or cause. Take it in the context that it was written, and please lighten up a bit.

MM

40 posted on 03/04/2007 2:02:55 PM PST by Mr_Moonlight
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To: LibFreeOrDie
"So with all those pots and pans in her kitchen, who does she cook for? The cats?"

She probably doesn't cook much of anything. Her apartment looks like it fell out of a Pottery Barn catalog, and that is not accidental.

Women are being told a lie by politicians and marketers that they are 2nd-class citizens if they have kids, and they must spend money like drunken sailors to prove how successful they are.
41 posted on 03/04/2007 2:04:21 PM PST by opticks
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To: annelizly
I'm sick of these types! No more BS: This woman is a LOSER, on so many levels.

First, her thinly-guised childless self-admiration club is more practically a post-abortion guilt-avoidance club as in "I made the right decisions -didn't I?" And if she did that to her own baby what would she do to say, -her cat? I won't even consider what she might do to members of the public.

Secondly, without children her genes become extinct -and by her own choice! What better indicator of personal and social failure is there than that?

Thirdly without children, everything her ancestors went through during their lives were for naught cuz somewhere down the line little Val didn't want to spend her money on additional family members or mess up her figure.

These people are nothing more than narcissistic, self-serving oxygen thieves! They are the Avante Garde leaders of the liberals' culture of death and decay who spread their poison through propaganda and indoctrination. Society can only await another close passing of a cometary body to hasten their self-demise thus ending their influence upon healthier members of society. In the mean time their voting rights should be rescinded.

Check out the picture of ole Val: -the cat knows. He better watch his back and avoid the car for a while.

42 posted on 03/04/2007 2:09:35 PM PST by Justa (Politically Correct is morally wrong.)
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To: Richard Kimball

So smug their in love with their own farts? I sense a South Park fan in our midst.


43 posted on 03/04/2007 2:15:12 PM PST by BBell
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To: SmithL

Folks who wanna be childless should just shut up and be childless. Likewise, folks who think it's important to procreate should just shut up and procreate themselves.


44 posted on 03/04/2007 2:20:21 PM PST by Larry Lucido (Duncan Hunter 2008)
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To: Justa
Society can only await another close passing of a cometary body to hasten their self-demise thus ending their influence upon healthier members of society.

Or Global WarmingTM

45 posted on 03/04/2007 2:21:07 PM PST by Mr_Moonlight
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To: silverleaf

At 48 she deserves a "Congratulations, Your Genes Are Now Extinct" award from the CPUSA and added to the honor roll of the Darwin Awards.


46 posted on 03/04/2007 2:22:15 PM PST by Justa (Politically Correct is morally wrong.)
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To: SmithL

The opposite of BREEDING is not freedom, it's extinction.


47 posted on 03/04/2007 2:23:37 PM PST by reg45
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To: Mr_Moonlight
Re your post 40, we probably differ in a hundred ways but we are alike in that I, too, never wanted to become a father and with a few snips of the surgeon's knife, insured that it wouldn't happen.

Not only did I not want to be a father because of my short temper and dislike of noise, I didn't want to go through life broke, either.

As to the woman's advocacy to the point of a website and probably asking for this newspaper article, to each his own. Think of all those maternity- and nuclear family-oriented organizations out there. Hell, they even have magazines devoted to the joys of having children and the enjoyment of family life. No doubt they also have websites. Do you similarly condemn them, too? You should if you want to slam this woman.

And I don't do "lighten up" on such serious issues.

48 posted on 03/04/2007 2:33:34 PM PST by OldPossum
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To: stayathomemom
My cat has lately become jealous of my computer. He has taken to lying across the keyboard.

Is that why many of your recent posts here read:

3u4y9theghowrntbi9wry8t7t48r3y4937hfkbdfk ncil g7t8t8bbkbknkn

/chuckle

49 posted on 03/04/2007 2:36:31 PM PST by Mr_Moonlight
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To: Justa
These people are nothing more than narcissistic, self-serving oxygen thieves!

So, my wife, the woman I have loved for 38 years and who devoted an entire career to teaching children in an inner city school system, is a narcissistic, self-serving oxygen thief. Is that what you are saying to the OldPossum, smarta@@?

50 posted on 03/04/2007 2:42:17 PM PST by OldPossum
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