I understand. I don't think it's necessary to have children to have a complete and full life or any of the reasons some people come up with to try to talk someone into having a baby. 

If you don't want kids, you just don't. There's really no reason to try to change your mind. You are 21 now. Who knows how you will feel when you are older and married. You may change your mind or you may not. 

I personally didn't want kids. I didn't want to be pregnant, I didn't want to deal with babies, I didn't want to deal with any of it. I now have three wonderful kids. Life is funny that way. 

I absolutely understand where you're coming from.  When I was your age I didn't even think about kids, let alone whether I wanted them or not.  However, you're still young so it wouldn't surprise me if your feelings changed in say 10 years or so...

Ya never knowwwww... :):)

(Oh and btw I have four kids...but I'm way old lol)

When I was 21 I felt the same way you do...there is no way in the world I'd ever want to have a kid.  I was too busy, too goal-driven, too selfish, too...whatever.  Even when I was 25 I didn't want kids.  I got married when I was 25, and a couple of years later while on vacation with my husband, I started thinking "wouldn't this be fun with kids?"  We got pregnant about 6 months later, and now I'm a 30-year-old mom.  I wouldn't change any of it for the world.  I was a cynical person before my daughter came along, and now I can't think of anything better than watching her grow and learn. 

Give it time, and never say never!  You might change your mind eventually, and you may not.  Either way, it's up to you.  If you never want to have kids, be responsible and protect yourself.

@Traci_Ladd@xanga - I couldn't agree more!  My daughter has made me a better person and my world is wildly different now.  It's incredible!  You worded that perfectly.  :)

When I was younger I didn't plan on having kids (ever) because I felt that in order to have a child I would have to be willing to put my all into it and stay at home like my mom did with me.  My career was more important to me, so I decided I would rather not have a kid instead of having one then sending him/her off to daycare every day.
Since then I've slowed down a little on life and I would like kids eventually.  Not right now (I'm not even done my degree), but at some point when it feels right.

im starting to not want children myself after getting this babysitting overnight job. its a wake up call and makes me tired and really re think any thoughts about kids. maybe id raise my kids differently though? and not so many things would annoy me.

i also think why would i want to bring another human into this world? its nothing extravagant! all of the experiences of people i know havent been anything special. they've been hardly that, pretty much just stressful times. id hate for my own flesh and blood to be unhappy and shit.

@TornadoChaser - Exactly.

I remember wanting kids as a teenager (not then, but in the "future")...then I went through a period of not wanting kids...then I did...the ex and I  were even trying at one point...when we split up, it went back to a, "Sure, in the future..." kinda thing...and then Megan came along. And really? Not want the cutest baby in the whole galaxy? Impossible!

What?!Don't you feel all alone when you are elder?

I don't want kids, either. At least not for a long time. I'm a musician, and I know that scene and that lifestyle are a lot easier to deal with when you don't have children to worry about. My music is what I love. And I enjoy the rehearsals and the shows and hanging out after the shows.

Also, I don't really know how my body would handle a pregnancy. I'm curious what it's like to give birth, but I have a medical condition that I am trying to overcome, and being pregnant would put extra strain on my body.

And babysitting my friend's 2 year old daughter for 10 days drove me absolutely batty. She was always talking, always making noise, always bothering all of us, always wanting attention...I was ready to pack my bags and run away.  Some people say, "when it's your own, you don't care so much." Maybe. I do not have the experience to tell them otherwise. But I can't imagine having to deal with that day in and day out with no break.

I believet that if you are supposed to have children the desire for them will come. I say live your life, find something you love and pursue it. You are young enjoy your youth.

Age has more to do with it than anything.  You may have a different perspective when you are more responsible.  It's also good to consider the parallel congruency of parent and child.  People don't consider whether they are mature (or wise) enough to raise children without tainting them with personality deficiencies.  I think at 21, to consider all these factors shows your maturity somewhat.

I dont like kids, I hate when people tell my husband and I that we have to have them for various reasons, etc. If it were easier for women to get fixed, I would. I've already talked to my gyno about it as well and she said she'd put me on Mirena for 5 years, then if I still feel the same, she will do the Essure procedure which is permanent.

Just because we're women does not mean it is our duty to have kids. It should be your own decision if you dont want them.

I can't really answer the one statement you had made about how you don't understand how parents can send their kids to school without the fear of something bad happening to them...my daughter is 5 weeks old and I haven't yet gone back to work, so I haven't had to leave her anywhere (daycare or anything) yet.

I imagine I'm going to be paranoid and bug her babysitter (who's a friend of mine from high school) all day long everyday. Mothers at work say the first week is torture, but then it gets a little bit better after awhile. I'm territorial as you say you are, so I imagine it won't. She might tell me I'm only able to call 2-3 times a day after the first week. Haha.

Whether you have children or not is completely up to you. Some people don't ever have kids because it was their decision. People will tell you you'll change your mind...but you might not. And that doesn't make you a bad person or selfish no matter what anyone says.