Should I date if I don't want children?

[Midnight FM]

I'm currently on disability, and I have various reasons for not wanting children, at least anytime in the near future.

This makes me wonder whether or not it's a good idea to date if I don't want children. Even if I'm not planning on having a child with a specific person, I think that it's more likely that an unplanned child could happen if I was dating, or that, even if the other party doesn't want children, that they could always change their mind in the future.

I'm comfortable without dating for the time being, and don't have a strong need to be in a relationship, so, if I'm content as things are, should I bother with dating, if the mere possibility of having children is a constant source of anxiety for me?

Edited 6 hours ago by Midnight FM

[ExpatInItaly]

I am a woman who never wanted children.

That hasn't stopped me from dating and having good relationships with like-minded men. I have never changed my mind about wanting kids, either. I think you are stressing yourself out unnecessarily. Plenty of people now are happily childfree. 

[MsJayne]

I don't see how not wanting children should stop someone from dating. Unless you look like Fabio, have a genius IQ, are witty and charming, and are sickeningly rich, I'm not sure why you think so many women would be clamouring after the fruit of your loins with the aim of hoodwinking you into unwanted parenthood. If you're choosy about the type of women you date, and take precautions with sex, you should manage to remain child-free. Of course, abstaining altogether is a solution, as is having a vasectomy. 

[Gebidozo]

Of course you can date. There are many women who either already have children and don’t want any more, or don’t want to have children at all. It’s a personal choice that is as valid as the choice to have kids. Just make sure that you announce in advance that you don’t want children to the person you plan to date.