Hitting 40 this year and looking at settling down. Thanks in large part to my exposure to Indian parenting as a kid and seeing that of those around me I have decided that I do not want to bring in a mini-me into the planet and run him/her through the same toxic system. Ironically I do get along fabulously with kids but don't really want to be a caregiver. The financial costs of raising a kid and the irrational inflation of their lifestyle expenses also play a key role. Last but not least is the social freedom to continue living a life centered around my dreams, aspirations, and expectations.

However, the issue is that most women I have interacted with are either programmed to want kids or lean toward that direction. There is a massive drop in the potential partner pool once I mention my decision and want to be child-free. Keen to understand from my fellow compadres who have encountered this or otherwise how they have navigated such conversations and what has been the outcome. Are there common avenues that host folks who have taken such lifestyle calls etc?

This is a personal life decision so request the sanskaaris to spare me the virtues of fatherhood and family life.

Ladies reading this post, feel free to chime in your experiences or how you are searching for a potential partner as the decision to be child-free is gender agnostic.