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Although several people have expressed similar opinions, I think SiN said it in the way I relate to most.
I'm not much of one for being needed, and I tend to shrug off or resent any such obligations. That's why I've never had any children, for example. However, when I look at my life I observe that I have structured it in such a way that I am needed on a smaller scale - I always have some pets (but they are cats) and I do very much enjoy feeling useful. If my boyfriend or other loved one is sick, I happily provide for him and take pleasure in being there but I could never be a nurse or member of another helping profession. I'm very independent so being needed feels like getting caught up in tentacles and I'd generally avoid something like that on principle, even though I've noticed that I tend to take on a responsible role in life and haven't been the free and easy type due to a lot of obligations. My general stance, though, tends to be that I just want people to leave me alone - to the point that I've gone years without even letting more than a few people know where I lived. That doesn't mean I don't deal with issues of isolation and loneliness though, so I guess I'm just a conflicted person on some level.
I'm surprised at how many people here responded that they don't like to be needed, since I have the impression that most people enjoy this type of relationship a lot more than I do, if only because of the sheer numbers who have children. To me that is the ultimate needy relationship (from conception) and the very thought gives me the shudders.
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