My wife usually wrinkles her nose in the presence of children. She will tell anyone that listens that she hates kids, but will also admit kids are cute at times. Today we were on the elevator, and a couple got on with us with one in a stroller, and one hanging on the mother's shoulders in one of those baby slings. That got me thinking about my wife's attitude toward children in general, and her aversion whenever encountering them. I think the issues she has aren't with the kids themselves, but the situations that can come up when kids are present, or more precisely, when people are present with kids in tow.

The problem is with parental attitudes. Not with their children, but their expectations concerning their interactions with society in general. I haven't been able to put my finger on it before, but on reflection I think this is more to the point. Parents act differently, and their expectations with the world around them change when they have children. It seems some people expect special allowances when they have children, as if certain commendations are bestowed upon them simply for having borne children. These attitudes manifest themselves differently depending on the person, but generally speaking they involve expected increased tolerance from others, as well as increased attention. People are naturally proud of their children, but they expect the same from others, and the expectations are only reinforced by those that act on the supposed obligation to fawn over a child. These are the things that bother people like my wife, the obligation for concessions and accommodations is assumed, regardless of any obligations in reality.

Of course, when people withhold the expected appreciation, the asshole label is immediately applied.