The Data behind "Childless Cat Ladies"
August 2, 2024 6:44 AM Subscribe
WaPo's Dept. of Data looks at the numbers. (gift link) In a similar fashion to Trump being confused about Harris being both Indian and Black, I stand for all of us who have cats and dogs. We're out, we're proud, we're spending too much on cat food because the dogs keep sneaking in and helping themselves to it.
Childless/childfree cat lady checking in here and I have to say, I am proud that my particular demographic is really getting noticed these days. I mean, if that's where the Republican Weirdos are mad at the moment, me and Sir Digby Chicken Caesar are happy to represent.
posted by Kitteh at 7:07 AM on August 2 [37 favorites]
posted by Kitteh at 7:07 AM on August 2 [37 favorites]
WAIT you have a Sir Digby Chicken Caesar ALSO?!
posted by PussKillian at 7:10 AM on August 2 [38 favorites]
posted by PussKillian at 7:10 AM on August 2 [38 favorites]
Childless cat-owning platonic couple chiming in. Raising cats is a team effort, as is our periodic kitten fostering and TNR efforts. And we vote!
posted by notoriety public at 7:12 AM on August 2 [5 favorites]
posted by notoriety public at 7:12 AM on August 2 [5 favorites]
The eponysteria is strong with this post! Love it!
posted by sundrop at 7:13 AM on August 2 [3 favorites]
posted by sundrop at 7:13 AM on August 2 [3 favorites]
WAIT you have a Sir Digby Chicken Caesar ALSO?!
I do! He's v handsome.
posted by Kitteh at 7:15 AM on August 2 [38 favorites]
I do! He's v handsome.
posted by Kitteh at 7:15 AM on August 2 [38 favorites]
While physically I am not able to ever be a cat lady (allergies too strong), I stand in solidarity with y’all! Kitties are the best :)
posted by Doleful Creature at 7:16 AM on August 2 [5 favorites]
posted by Doleful Creature at 7:16 AM on August 2 [5 favorites]
In addition to being out of touch about how the perception of cats has changed, they've moved the goalposts. DINKs were not included in this definition. A cat lady has no children or partner and was advertised as a fate worse than death to encourage widespread acceptance of dysfunctional romantic relationships, not entire dysfunctional family units. People are going to feel upset about this for multiple reasons, including that this is a bait and switch.
posted by Selena777 at 7:26 AM on August 2 [7 favorites]
posted by Selena777 at 7:26 AM on August 2 [7 favorites]
This look at the numbers didn’t even mention the stat I was most interested in. Vance likes to use this “childless” attack on women, and occasionally homosexuals. But you’ll notice his attack never targets childless men — who outnumber childless women in ever stat I’ve seen. His “children are good” angle is only an excuse to borrow a tired “old spinster” trope.
posted by lemonshush at 7:31 AM on August 2 [43 favorites]
posted by lemonshush at 7:31 AM on August 2 [43 favorites]
Do to responsible veterinary care, my cats are childless.
posted by aubilenon at 7:34 AM on August 2 [33 favorites]
posted by aubilenon at 7:34 AM on August 2 [33 favorites]
People who want the world to end with them should lose the franchise before people who prefer living with pets over a-holes
posted by torokunai at 7:38 AM on August 2 [4 favorites]
posted by torokunai at 7:38 AM on August 2 [4 favorites]
You just need to stay inside the Cat Sanity Zone: <1 cat = sorrow and loneliness; >3 cats = madness.
posted by star gentle uterus at 7:50 AM on August 2 [13 favorites]
posted by star gentle uterus at 7:50 AM on August 2 [13 favorites]
Dogs, cats, children, sure, whatever, but America wants to know: What are the candidates going to do for us tarantula parents?
posted by mittens at 7:52 AM on August 2 [17 favorites]
posted by mittens at 7:52 AM on August 2 [17 favorites]
I'm married with kids AND cats, and JD Vance can just fuck off.
posted by outgrown_hobnail at 7:52 AM on August 2 [17 favorites]
posted by outgrown_hobnail at 7:52 AM on August 2 [17 favorites]
You just need to stay inside the Cat Sanity Zone: <1>3 cats = madness.
Ahem. The correct Standard Pet Optimal Occupancy Rate (SPOOR) is calculated as “number of adults in household +1” with dogs counting as 2 and cats as 1. So, if there are 3 adults in a household, your rate is 3, and you could have 3 cats or a dog and a cat without the hurtful word “menagerie” being deployed.
The actual system is slightly more flexible. If 2 people with 2 cats each form a household, they are not considered to be “those people with too many cats” unless extra cats are added before the catpacity drops below the threshold. Similarly, adjustments can be made for exceptionally spacious living arrangements.
No allowances are made for birds. Bird people are a special case and should be approached with caution.
posted by GenjiandProust at 8:01 AM on August 2 [27 favorites]
Ahem. The correct Standard Pet Optimal Occupancy Rate (SPOOR) is calculated as “number of adults in household +1” with dogs counting as 2 and cats as 1. So, if there are 3 adults in a household, your rate is 3, and you could have 3 cats or a dog and a cat without the hurtful word “menagerie” being deployed.
The actual system is slightly more flexible. If 2 people with 2 cats each form a household, they are not considered to be “those people with too many cats” unless extra cats are added before the catpacity drops below the threshold. Similarly, adjustments can be made for exceptionally spacious living arrangements.
No allowances are made for birds. Bird people are a special case and should be approached with caution.
posted by GenjiandProust at 8:01 AM on August 2 [27 favorites]
Also married, cis gender, kids and cats. support LGBTQ rights, Kamala for Prez. snd echoing the sentiment "JD Vance can just fuck off".
posted by mermayd at 8:08 AM on August 2 [3 favorites]
posted by mermayd at 8:08 AM on August 2 [3 favorites]
I think the rule is 2 cats, or 1 dog, per each adult in the household. A couple with 4 cats, or 2 cats and a dog, or 2 dogs, is fine.
posted by subdee at 8:12 AM on August 2 [7 favorites]
posted by subdee at 8:12 AM on August 2 [7 favorites]
i thought the rule was no more pets than human hands, so you can grab one in each hand and run as needed.
> But you’ll notice his attack never targets childless men
well of course not, if a man is childless it's womens' fault.
posted by Clowder of bats at 8:12 AM on August 2 [17 favorites]
> But you’ll notice his attack never targets childless men
well of course not, if a man is childless it's womens' fault.
posted by Clowder of bats at 8:12 AM on August 2 [17 favorites]
Little did Vance know his words would set off a new Quiverfull movement, but for cats.
posted by mittens at 8:14 AM on August 2 [16 favorites]
posted by mittens at 8:14 AM on August 2 [16 favorites]
Please do not suggest things like that; this is the internet.
posted by GenjiandProust at 8:17 AM on August 2 [7 favorites]
posted by GenjiandProust at 8:17 AM on August 2 [7 favorites]
As a woman with both a child and a cat (actually two cats, erhmagherd!), it's not been my impression that the asshats who are against free lunches for kids, free and easy access to contraception, free maternal healthcare access and post-natal care, free and affordable early childhood care and education, keeping children debt-free as they travel toward post-childhood autonomy and making sure that every person who chooses to bear and raise a child has a safety net... are defined by their number of children or pets at home. Something else seems to bind those fuckers together.
posted by amanda at 8:19 AM on August 2 [25 favorites]
posted by amanda at 8:19 AM on August 2 [25 favorites]
The problem with having more than 2-3 cats is that then you're dealing with cats dying more often than every 5-10 years and that is hard.
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:25 AM on August 2 [17 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:25 AM on August 2 [17 favorites]
We are a DINK couple with three cats. It seems we always have a trio of cats (I had bought my two into the marriage; he had his; all three are gone now) despite not really aiming to have three. Like, when our chubby calico girl left us, we didn't mean to adopt The Weird Sisters, but here we are. But Digby was lonely! He needed friends! And oh boy, do the Weird Sisters love him. I think they love him because he is a big friendly doofus and is very suggestible to their demands of affections.
/sorry end of cat derail i just really love cats
posted by Kitteh at 8:29 AM on August 2 [17 favorites]
/sorry end of cat derail i just really love cats
posted by Kitteh at 8:29 AM on August 2 [17 favorites]
We had a new employee start on Monday and when I was meeting with her to onboard her into my processes I asked her about the framed dog portraits behind her. She's got two, they're very busy boys, big and much more playful than their businesslike expressions would suggest. She lives alone, no (human) dependents. I told her about my two dogs, and my perspective on our benefits as a person who lives alone with no (human) dependents.
On Wednesday I had a meeting with another coworker and part of what we do is get aligned on new hires. This coworker also has two dogs, lives alone, and has no (human) dependents. I passed along the business only info for the new hire, then she asked "how does she seem to you, you think she's going to be a good fit?" And I said, "well, I like her so far, I think she's a dog person, like we are."
Coworker waited a beat, then said, "are you trying to tell me she's a miserable childless cat lady?" with the best smug grin on her face.
We are legion.
posted by phunniemee at 8:45 AM on August 2 [10 favorites]
On Wednesday I had a meeting with another coworker and part of what we do is get aligned on new hires. This coworker also has two dogs, lives alone, and has no (human) dependents. I passed along the business only info for the new hire, then she asked "how does she seem to you, you think she's going to be a good fit?" And I said, "well, I like her so far, I think she's a dog person, like we are."
Coworker waited a beat, then said, "are you trying to tell me she's a miserable childless cat lady?" with the best smug grin on her face.
We are legion.
posted by phunniemee at 8:45 AM on August 2 [10 favorites]
I demand parity in feline taxation for the weird sisters! And maybe more feline taxation for Sir Digby Chicken Caesar.
posted by ursus_comiter at 8:53 AM on August 2 [6 favorites]
posted by ursus_comiter at 8:53 AM on August 2 [6 favorites]
Thirding the Digby Contingent. Orangebois for all!
Now let's see some data on herpetological lefties.
posted by gargoyle93 at 8:56 AM on August 2 [4 favorites]
Now let's see some data on herpetological lefties.
posted by gargoyle93 at 8:56 AM on August 2 [4 favorites]
Okay, here’s where I admit that we’ve got eight between the two of us, not even counting the TNR ferals that hang out in our yard.
My housemate calls it “The Haus of Katz”.
I prefer the more elegant “Chez Milles Chats”.
posted by notoriety public at 8:58 AM on August 2 [11 favorites]
My housemate calls it “The Haus of Katz”.
I prefer the more elegant “Chez Milles Chats”.
posted by notoriety public at 8:58 AM on August 2 [11 favorites]
The Weird Sisters:
Agatha, an absolute diva, who quickly became the Alpha cat
Prudence, who is very small for her age but a mighty force
They were feral woods babies who were trapped by a rescue organization. There was a third sister who got pregnant; she and her babies went to separate home.
posted by Kitteh at 9:01 AM on August 2 [18 favorites]
Agatha, an absolute diva, who quickly became the Alpha cat
Prudence, who is very small for her age but a mighty force
They were feral woods babies who were trapped by a rescue organization. There was a third sister who got pregnant; she and her babies went to separate home.
posted by Kitteh at 9:01 AM on August 2 [18 favorites]
childfree cat lady adding my datum point.
posted by supermedusa at 9:15 AM on August 2 [4 favorites]
posted by supermedusa at 9:15 AM on August 2 [4 favorites]
My Digby is the innocent-looking-but-very-chaotic gray stripy boy, but he has an orange brother and a tuxie sister that he lives to harass. Not shown: two dogs, also prone to harassment. But the dogs definitely lurk constantly in hopes of getting cat food.
Two adults in the house and five animals...we're definitely over the line into menagerie territory.
posted by PussKillian at 9:28 AM on August 2 [12 favorites]
Two adults in the house and five animals...we're definitely over the line into menagerie territory.
posted by PussKillian at 9:28 AM on August 2 [12 favorites]
I come from a family of flagrant rule dis-regarders. My mom has 6 cats living in her homestead including a mighty 22 year old who she might love more than me, and I'm ok with that. :)
My wife and I are childless (she's a teacher - she's doing her part) and together we have 4 dogs and 2 cats. (The dogs are all small things and have appeared in multiple comments of mine)
But in terms of cat food, at least, the wife and I have a disagreement about the dogs eating the cat kibble. She's worried that their occasional snackage is bad for them. I've pointed out that I've asked the vet several times and have consistently been told, it's only bad for them in excess and as their primary food source.
And that the 20 year old Chihuahua is allowed to eat as much of it as he wants because its more vital that he eats rather than eats correctly. The doggie equivalent of allowing your 82 year grams have a glass of scotch every night.
Meanwhile, rarely trust anyone who doesn't like animals (exceptions allowed) because it generally points to a lack of empathy. TFG not having any animals is a good example of lack of trustworthiness. Vance is a venal power grabbing idiot who would dance merrily in the emperors new clothes and declare the sky the finest royal purple if it got him the job.
posted by drewbage1847 at 9:30 AM on August 2 [4 favorites]
My wife and I are childless (she's a teacher - she's doing her part) and together we have 4 dogs and 2 cats. (The dogs are all small things and have appeared in multiple comments of mine)
But in terms of cat food, at least, the wife and I have a disagreement about the dogs eating the cat kibble. She's worried that their occasional snackage is bad for them. I've pointed out that I've asked the vet several times and have consistently been told, it's only bad for them in excess and as their primary food source.
And that the 20 year old Chihuahua is allowed to eat as much of it as he wants because its more vital that he eats rather than eats correctly. The doggie equivalent of allowing your 82 year grams have a glass of scotch every night.
Meanwhile, rarely trust anyone who doesn't like animals (exceptions allowed) because it generally points to a lack of empathy. TFG not having any animals is a good example of lack of trustworthiness. Vance is a venal power grabbing idiot who would dance merrily in the emperors new clothes and declare the sky the finest royal purple if it got him the job.
posted by drewbage1847 at 9:30 AM on August 2 [4 favorites]
all digbys are good digbys, bront
posted by Kitteh at 9:31 AM on August 2 [11 favorites]
posted by Kitteh at 9:31 AM on August 2 [11 favorites]
I'm a childless dog dude and I pay my taxes.
posted by Sauce Trough at 9:39 AM on August 2 [10 favorites]
posted by Sauce Trough at 9:39 AM on August 2 [10 favorites]
Single childless cat lady reporting for duty! I got my cats through Ask MetaFilter 10 years ago (ten years!), and they're still going strong. I just discovered that the cat tax links from my final comment on that AskMe are all borked, so here are some more recent photos.
Oh - found a link to a short video of them on the day I got them.
posted by tzikeh at 9:53 AM on August 2 [9 favorites]
Oh - found a link to a short video of them on the day I got them.
posted by tzikeh at 9:53 AM on August 2 [9 favorites]
Childfree dad to an elderly lady cat here. She lived most of her life alongside a sister who passed away a few years ago, now resting in peace under a flower garden we can see from our window. She should be in a paradise, hunting an ample population of lizards, bugs, etc., but unfortunately she has a very sensitive stomach, and we have to discourage hunting, lest we all have to deal with extra gross yacking and diarrhea.
posted by mubba at 9:57 AM on August 2 [2 favorites]
posted by mubba at 9:57 AM on August 2 [2 favorites]
Childless guy here who doesn't even have a cat anymore. My wife is also childless, and our cats are ten years gone, and sorely missed. We pay taxes and watch movies, travel, hang out with family and friends and garden for fun!
posted by SoberHighland at 9:58 AM on August 2 [3 favorites]
posted by SoberHighland at 9:58 AM on August 2 [3 favorites]
Childless cat lady here. I have two of my own. I'm currently living with my unmarried, childless brother who has 3. It's a catopolis here.
I had a great job interview yesterday with woman who is also single with 2 cats. She also has purple as her favorite color. Our teaching philosophies are quite similar. I really hope I get the job there.
posted by kathrynm at 10:10 AM on August 2 [6 favorites]
I had a great job interview yesterday with woman who is also single with 2 cats. She also has purple as her favorite color. Our teaching philosophies are quite similar. I really hope I get the job there.
posted by kathrynm at 10:10 AM on August 2 [6 favorites]
My wife and I (childless) peaked at three cats and three dogs, spent a brief period with four cats and a dog, and are down to three cats and a (different) dog. Alas, Sammy will probably be our last dog due to both of our chronic health issues, and our ideal number of cats is two, but it just doesn't ever work that tidily.
posted by restless_nomad at 10:22 AM on August 2 [1 favorite]
posted by restless_nomad at 10:22 AM on August 2 [1 favorite]
Childless cat lady in my heart, although at the moment we have an elderly dog who is too much work and expense to permit another beastie.
Setting aside that the logic behind Vance's statement (such as it is) is profoundly stupid and why do we care what some dim couchfucker thinks about anything...this strikes me as a similar phenomenon to the one where men think a room is "all women" whenever there it has more than one woman in it (even if they make up well under half the total), and that women "do all the talking" if more than one woman speaks.
So there are like, what, 2? 3? prominent female politicians who do not have (bio)kids. IT'S ALL OF THEM THEY'RE EVERYWHERE THEY RULE OVER US LIKE AN ARMY OF GODS.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:29 AM on August 2 [9 favorites]
Setting aside that the logic behind Vance's statement (such as it is) is profoundly stupid and why do we care what some dim couchfucker thinks about anything...this strikes me as a similar phenomenon to the one where men think a room is "all women" whenever there it has more than one woman in it (even if they make up well under half the total), and that women "do all the talking" if more than one woman speaks.
So there are like, what, 2? 3? prominent female politicians who do not have (bio)kids. IT'S ALL OF THEM THEY'RE EVERYWHERE THEY RULE OVER US LIKE AN ARMY OF GODS.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:29 AM on August 2 [9 favorites]
The dogs don't dare touch the cat food, because the cats will chase them across the entire house for retribution.
Our dog was always far more interested in that big box of Godiva yummies we called the litter box.
posted by Thorzdad at 10:31 AM on August 2 [2 favorites]
Our dog was always far more interested in that big box of Godiva yummies we called the litter box.
posted by Thorzdad at 10:31 AM on August 2 [2 favorites]
Our dog was always far more interested in that big box of Godiva yummies we called the litter box.
almond roca (yak!)
posted by supermedusa at 10:34 AM on August 2 [1 favorite]
almond roca (yak!)
posted by supermedusa at 10:34 AM on August 2 [1 favorite]
why do we care what some dim couchfucker thinks about anything
As het up as he is about the childfree, I wonder if he thinks the sex he has with his couches is... procreative?
posted by phunniemee at 10:41 AM on August 2 [3 favorites]
As het up as he is about the childfree, I wonder if he thinks the sex he has with his couches is... procreative?
posted by phunniemee at 10:41 AM on August 2 [3 favorites]
Awww they could make some ottomans
posted by supermedusa at 10:46 AM on August 2 [5 favorites]
posted by supermedusa at 10:46 AM on August 2 [5 favorites]
Do we have a category of catless dog ladies?
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 10:51 AM on August 2 [4 favorites]
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 10:51 AM on August 2 [4 favorites]
Bunster (step)parents represent!
posted by gtrwolf at 11:02 AM on August 2 [5 favorites]
posted by gtrwolf at 11:02 AM on August 2 [5 favorites]
Not nearly enough of you are paying the cat tax in this thread. LET ME SEE YOUR CATS
posted by tzikeh at 11:03 AM on August 2 [8 favorites]
posted by tzikeh at 11:03 AM on August 2 [8 favorites]
Awww they could make some ottomans
Excuse me, that’s nobody’s business but the Turks!
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:51 AM on August 2 [12 favorites]
Excuse me, that’s nobody’s business but the Turks!
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:51 AM on August 2 [12 favorites]
Ahem. The correct Standard Pet Optimal Occupancy Rate (SPOOR) is calculated as “number of adults in household +1” with dogs counting as 2 and cats as 1. So, if there are 3 adults in a household, your rate is 3, and you could have 3 cats or a dog and a cat without the hurtful word “menagerie” being deployed.
The actual system is slightly more flexible. If 2 people with 2 cats each form a household, they are not considered to be “those people with too many cats” unless extra cats are added before the catpacity drops below the threshold. Similarly, adjustments can be made for exceptionally spacious living arrangements.
I endorse this. It has the two critical components that make a model scientifically rigorous: a predictive, quantifiable metric, and a catchy acronym.
posted by darkstar at 12:42 PM on August 2 [5 favorites]
The actual system is slightly more flexible. If 2 people with 2 cats each form a household, they are not considered to be “those people with too many cats” unless extra cats are added before the catpacity drops below the threshold. Similarly, adjustments can be made for exceptionally spacious living arrangements.
I endorse this. It has the two critical components that make a model scientifically rigorous: a predictive, quantifiable metric, and a catchy acronym.
posted by darkstar at 12:42 PM on August 2 [5 favorites]
We’re interracially married gay men with a baby made via IVF AND we have a cat. We stand with childless cat ladies, many of whom help watch our kid.
(And F you, Vance)
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 1:10 PM on August 2 [19 favorites]
(And F you, Vance)
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 1:10 PM on August 2 [19 favorites]
Two more glimpses into the seriously misogynistic worldview of JD Vance, via DKos…
1. Heritage head writes that contraception, IVF and even dog parks are anti-family in new book. This is the book for which that Vance wrote the Foreward.
2. J.D. Vance literally referred to pregnancy by rape as 'inconvenient.' “Vance was adamant that any abortion restrictions not include any exceptions for rape and incest.”
posted by darkstar at 1:33 PM on August 2 [7 favorites]
1. Heritage head writes that contraception, IVF and even dog parks are anti-family in new book. This is the book for which that Vance wrote the Foreward.
2. J.D. Vance literally referred to pregnancy by rape as 'inconvenient.' “Vance was adamant that any abortion restrictions not include any exceptions for rape and incest.”
posted by darkstar at 1:33 PM on August 2 [7 favorites]
Another plug for Cat Ladies for Kamala
Sunday, August 4, 7ET/4PT
(Event is open to cat ladies of all genders, friends of cat ladies, and animal lovers of all kinds. The tent is big enough for everyone.)
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 2:23 PM on August 2 [7 favorites]
Sunday, August 4, 7ET/4PT
(Event is open to cat ladies of all genders, friends of cat ladies, and animal lovers of all kinds. The tent is big enough for everyone.)
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 2:23 PM on August 2 [7 favorites]
I am a childless woman although I'm sans cats (or any pets) due to my rental situation. I am, however, currently cat sitting for my friend, who is also a childless cat lady (no photos of her cat because he's currently being a butthead, even after I tried bribing him with treats).
I am like the aunt for all my friends' pets. I am their go-to pet-sitter for the most part (and always happy to do it! I work from home so it's pretty easy for me to do so). One day, I may have pets of my own.
Real talk, though, I'm 44 so either a really young Gen X or a geriatric Millennial (although I feel more Millennial in a lot of ways) and it's just been the past couple of years where home ownership seemed like something that wasn't just a full-on fantasy. When I was younger (like teenager and super early 20s), I always assumed I'd have children but then I just ... never really wanted them. And that was fine! I was not in a position to do so, anyway, given ~hand waves~ everything that happened in the world during my young adult life.
I also know plenty of people my age and older that never had children of their own. In fact, I'd say that's the majority of my friends (although my friends who did have children are awesome and their children are awesome). I don't think I need to say somehow I dislike the implication that somehow we all matter less because we didn't procreate. Everyone I know is awesome and we all have value.
Of course, no one I know is going to vote for Trump anyway.
posted by edencosmic at 2:40 PM on August 2 [3 favorites]
I am like the aunt for all my friends' pets. I am their go-to pet-sitter for the most part (and always happy to do it! I work from home so it's pretty easy for me to do so). One day, I may have pets of my own.
Real talk, though, I'm 44 so either a really young Gen X or a geriatric Millennial (although I feel more Millennial in a lot of ways) and it's just been the past couple of years where home ownership seemed like something that wasn't just a full-on fantasy. When I was younger (like teenager and super early 20s), I always assumed I'd have children but then I just ... never really wanted them. And that was fine! I was not in a position to do so, anyway, given ~hand waves~ everything that happened in the world during my young adult life.
I also know plenty of people my age and older that never had children of their own. In fact, I'd say that's the majority of my friends (although my friends who did have children are awesome and their children are awesome). I don't think I need to say somehow I dislike the implication that somehow we all matter less because we didn't procreate. Everyone I know is awesome and we all have value.
Of course, no one I know is going to vote for Trump anyway.
posted by edencosmic at 2:40 PM on August 2 [3 favorites]
I'd be interested to know what the statistics are on 30-50yo childless Americans whose primary reason for not having children is that it just wasn't affordable. As with Japan and Korea, I suspect that a solid 50%+ of this "birth rate deficit" or whatever would be solved if the governments in question instituted heavily subsidized child care, but of course that might inconvenience billionaires and patriarchs. The two years when both D1 and D2 were in daycare were real lean, and both of us make well above the national average.
posted by outgrown_hobnail at 2:46 PM on August 2 [11 favorites]
posted by outgrown_hobnail at 2:46 PM on August 2 [11 favorites]
When people are presented with access to contraceptives, there are a subset of people who will voluntarily choose childlessness. When they have more money they may want to use it to... do other things. If you look at nations with subsidized childcare, you may be surprised about their fecundity or lack thereof.
posted by Selena777 at 3:02 PM on August 2 [4 favorites]
posted by Selena777 at 3:02 PM on August 2 [4 favorites]
1) I am a single woman with cats 2) By Choice 3) Who votes in every election 4) Democratic (though I consider myself more of cheap prosecco socialist) 5) Born and bred in Appalachia 5)From a solidly democratic family 6) Also from Appalachia for generations (both sides except for one little branch of a family tree) 7) Who are all cat people.
JD Vance can go fuck himself.
But since it's a cat lady thread, the gents did so well at the vet yesterday getting their annual vaccines that they were awarded gold medals by the techs and added to the vet's social media. Go Team Cat!!
posted by thivaia at 3:27 PM on August 2 [8 favorites]
JD Vance can go fuck himself.
But since it's a cat lady thread, the gents did so well at the vet yesterday getting their annual vaccines that they were awarded gold medals by the techs and added to the vet's social media. Go Team Cat!!
posted by thivaia at 3:27 PM on August 2 [8 favorites]
Just to tie this into another of today's posts, Freddie Mercury was a childless cat guy and dedicated his first album to cat lovers everywhere.
posted by cheshyre at 3:31 PM on August 2 [14 favorites]
posted by cheshyre at 3:31 PM on August 2 [14 favorites]
He still seems to not love me but Monkey is still a good boy. He's also still a butthead, though (I only mean that with love! I don't care if he likes me because I am here to take care of him and I will!),
posted by edencosmic at 3:41 PM on August 2 [4 favorites]
posted by edencosmic at 3:41 PM on August 2 [4 favorites]
thivaia, I love how the cat on the right (Gatsby?) has a look of "YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT I GOT A MEDAL"
posted by Kitteh at 5:36 PM on August 2 [3 favorites]
posted by Kitteh at 5:36 PM on August 2 [3 favorites]
thivaia, I love how the cat on the right (Gatsby?) has a look of "YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT I GOT A MEDAL"
It's Nick on the left and I love that expression too. In the right light it's also his "I'm auditioning for What We Do In the Shadows" as well.
posted by thivaia at 5:39 PM on August 2 [4 favorites]
It's Nick on the left and I love that expression too. In the right light it's also his "I'm auditioning for What We Do In the Shadows" as well.
posted by thivaia at 5:39 PM on August 2 [4 favorites]
> Another plug for Cat Ladies for Kamala
> We're Not Going Back To the Alleys
oof, that one hurt.
posted by Clowder of bats at 6:02 PM on August 2 [6 favorites]
> We're Not Going Back To the Alleys
oof, that one hurt.
posted by Clowder of bats at 6:02 PM on August 2 [6 favorites]
Okay, serious question.
Hypothetically, if three childless ladies are living together in a platonic throuple, and those three childless ladies jointly own four cats... are they still cat ladies, because four? Or are they just ladies with a normal amount of cats, because technically there is only 1.33 cats per lady?
Is additionally having a dog a mitigating factor?
posted by invincible summer at 7:19 PM on August 2
Hypothetically, if three childless ladies are living together in a platonic throuple, and those three childless ladies jointly own four cats... are they still cat ladies, because four? Or are they just ladies with a normal amount of cats, because technically there is only 1.33 cats per lady?
Is additionally having a dog a mitigating factor?
posted by invincible summer at 7:19 PM on August 2
We’re married with a kid and cats and a dog and these fucking cheeseballs can go to heck!
posted by Captaintripps at 7:57 PM on August 2 [2 favorites]
posted by Captaintripps at 7:57 PM on August 2 [2 favorites]
Childfree cat dude (married to a cat lady who converted me to Team Cat) checking in, nothing to add except I love this thread. Sadly no cat at the moment, ours passed away unexpectedly a few months ago :( Not to worry, we're planning to eventually adopt another, and till then happily getting our occasional kitty fix doting on our friend's furbabies.
posted by photo guy at 12:10 AM on August 3 [5 favorites]
posted by photo guy at 12:10 AM on August 3 [5 favorites]
having a child under capitalism ruins three lives.
if you have to work for a living and you’ve got a kid, you’ve entered into a hostage situation. you have to do whatever unethical thing your employer wants you to and you’ve got to spend as much time on it as they want you to, otherwise you jeopardize the well-being of the person you’ve produced and are responsible for. you’re making money for mr. burns, and although you’ve carefully arranged your pictures of maggie over montgomery’s sign, you know damn well that under “do it for her” the text reads “don’t forget, you’re here forever.”
this is one of those bombastic lowercase pronouncements i’ll never back down from. there’s a reason the right wing wants you to have kids so badly, and that reason is don’t forget, you’re here forever.
and once you’re gone, the hostage you’ve made for them becomes the next person they’ve trapped.
posted by bombastic lowercase pronouncements at 6:54 AM on August 3 [11 favorites]
if you have to work for a living and you’ve got a kid, you’ve entered into a hostage situation. you have to do whatever unethical thing your employer wants you to and you’ve got to spend as much time on it as they want you to, otherwise you jeopardize the well-being of the person you’ve produced and are responsible for. you’re making money for mr. burns, and although you’ve carefully arranged your pictures of maggie over montgomery’s sign, you know damn well that under “do it for her” the text reads “don’t forget, you’re here forever.”
this is one of those bombastic lowercase pronouncements i’ll never back down from. there’s a reason the right wing wants you to have kids so badly, and that reason is don’t forget, you’re here forever.
and once you’re gone, the hostage you’ve made for them becomes the next person they’ve trapped.
posted by bombastic lowercase pronouncements at 6:54 AM on August 3 [11 favorites]
bombastic: I read "Extremely Hardcore" and there is a dad in that story stuck working for Elon. Agreed.
I have signed up for the cat lady call since it looks like I'll probably have the free time to after all tomorrow. I don't have pets because I'm hardly home, but I did get a robot cat in pandemic (seriously) so I can bring that one, I suppose?
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:04 AM on August 3 [2 favorites]
I have signed up for the cat lady call since it looks like I'll probably have the free time to after all tomorrow. I don't have pets because I'm hardly home, but I did get a robot cat in pandemic (seriously) so I can bring that one, I suppose?
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:04 AM on August 3 [2 favorites]
We have six cats and I don't want to talk about it.
Shhh! I do want to talk it. They're so cute.
posted by Joey Michaels at 11:15 AM on August 3 [8 favorites]
Shhh! I do want to talk it. They're so cute.
posted by Joey Michaels at 11:15 AM on August 3 [8 favorites]
Well, at least cat people won't have any issues with vetting. :)
posted by cheshyre at 1:11 PM on August 3 [3 favorites]
posted by cheshyre at 1:11 PM on August 3 [3 favorites]
Well, at least cat people won't have any issues with vetting.
My cat hates going to the vet and remains traumatized for weeks afterward. For the debates, she will insist on no claw trimming, no car rides, and no carrier or other unnatural restraints.
posted by mubba at 3:40 PM on August 3 [1 favorite]
My cat hates going to the vet and remains traumatized for weeks afterward. For the debates, she will insist on no claw trimming, no car rides, and no carrier or other unnatural restraints.
posted by mubba at 3:40 PM on August 3 [1 favorite]
I learned that there used to be a National Organization for Non-Parents (aka National Alliance for Optional Parenthood) and although Planned Parenthood does the heavy lifting these days, I wonder if there is any reason to spin it back up with a feline twist.
posted by credulous at 5:29 PM on August 3
posted by credulous at 5:29 PM on August 3
Well, I meant that cat ladies (& gents) approve of vetting. The cats themselves sing a different song (quite loudly from their carriers)
posted by cheshyre at 5:37 PM on August 3 [2 favorites]
posted by cheshyre at 5:37 PM on August 3 [2 favorites]
Proud husband of a childless cat lady here. I would point out to Mr Vance (not a "Sen" on my time, going by MTG rules, right?) that we already pay more in taxes than the families he's fixated on. I pay quite a bit of money in school taxes and have no children in school. We don't complain about that because we aren't sociopaths and understand that high-quality public education benefits all of society. These f-wads really try my patience.
posted by jwest at 8:47 PM on August 3 [6 favorites]
posted by jwest at 8:47 PM on August 3 [6 favorites]
Hmmm...
Tweet Xhit the idea at author Stephen King? Based on King's open hatred of TFG and MAGA ilk, I think he'd probably run with the idea.
posted by Fiberoptic Zebroid and The Hypnagogic Jerks at 10:33 PM on August 3 [1 favorite]
- Hates childless women? ☑
- Hates non-virgin women ☑
- Hates housecats? ☑
- Weird, readily-shifting political positions? ☑
- Obvious villain energy ☑
posted by Fiberoptic Zebroid and The Hypnagogic Jerks at 10:33 PM on August 3 [1 favorite]
When people ask how many children my husband and I have, I can easily answer “none.”
When they ask how many cats, I usually just say “all of them.”
(That’s slightly less true this week, since we said goodbye to our little white cat, Freya, after 18 years under her matriarchy. Life goes on with all these boys, some of them admittedly alley cats, but all of them more principled than the GOP.)
Years ago, my (cat-hating, fecundity-adoring) MIL gave me a tote bag for Christmas. As I was opening it, she said (as she often does with gifts), “I saw this and I thought it might offend you, but I just had to get it for you.”
The tote bag read, “ONE CAT SHORT OF CRAZY.”
Shortly after I brought it home, one of the cats examined the bag, turned around, and pissed all over it. I thanked him for the excuse to throw it away.
posted by armeowda at 2:49 PM on August 4 [2 favorites]
When they ask how many cats, I usually just say “all of them.”
(That’s slightly less true this week, since we said goodbye to our little white cat, Freya, after 18 years under her matriarchy. Life goes on with all these boys, some of them admittedly alley cats, but all of them more principled than the GOP.)
Years ago, my (cat-hating, fecundity-adoring) MIL gave me a tote bag for Christmas. As I was opening it, she said (as she often does with gifts), “I saw this and I thought it might offend you, but I just had to get it for you.”
The tote bag read, “ONE CAT SHORT OF CRAZY.”
Shortly after I brought it home, one of the cats examined the bag, turned around, and pissed all over it. I thanked him for the excuse to throw it away.
posted by armeowda at 2:49 PM on August 4 [2 favorites]
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posted by I-Write-Essays at 6:58 AM on August 2 [2 favorites]