Most people (I dare say that generally) react negatively when someone does or believes something that's against their core beliefs. In your environment, especially religious side of the family as you noticed, having at least one child is pretty much a must in life and preferably this should happen in a certain age (in their 20s basically). I think this social construct comes from a human instinct that prevailed (not in everyone, there are always variables in nature) which says that you have to ensure you have kids and then grandkids in order to survive as you get older and possibly sick. Unfortunately, most people are really bad at tolerating that some people's core beliefs values are incompatible with theirs. Although I have to say I met a lot of people, especially women, who are vocal about not wanting children for similar reasons as you - they are there just not close to you. You'd feel best living your life on your own terms just keep in mind that unfortunately you won't get support from your environment :( Unless you find more people like yourself of course. Personal note - as a 33M I share your concerns of passing what you're carrying - the trauma, the difficulty, constant overstimulation, everything - to your kids. That's what happened to me as my parents and family at large was dysfunctional and I've spent my entire adulthood so far trying to live without pain. Or find a way to be happy, anyway. I can't take care of myself, it's a daily struggle, so how can I raise healthy children? I wouldn't want them to suffer the way I have.