The pointy finger of judgement is often poked in the direction of women, tearing apart their life, looks, and lifestyle. Celebs cop it daily, publicly scrutinised and called out for every bad decision or choice they make. ‘Normal’ people do not escape unscathed, with incidences of trolling and online bullying escalating, out of control.
Tanya Williams, author of A Childfree Happily Ever After, said for the women who choose not to have children, the judgements can be vicious and derisive.
“More and more women are choosing not to have children. They are no longer a rare breed. Yet the comments from family, friends and complete strangers have a sting to it when they weigh into a deeply personal decision,” she said.
“Sadly, the decision comes with consequences and a lot of judgement.
“Society has a hard time wrapping its head around the fact that some women do not want to have children. When faced with this anomaly, it is too hard for people to understand because it doesn’t fit with what we have been raised to accept as normal.”
Tanya said why is it okay to question one woman’s right not to have children but not a women’s right to have children?
“Does a woman’s life only have value if we are having babies and looking after people?” she asked.
Why do we feel the need to judge others, whose lives do not directly impact us, who are not hurting us with their choices?
Psychologist Lisa Johnson, from Engagement Psychologist, said people believe that if you are in a happy, healthy, functional relationship that children are expected.
Top Comments
Why are people so desperate for people who don't want kids to have them anyway?
It's very unlikely that I'll ever have children. When people have asked why, I've occasionally said it's because I'm very selfish with my time and I don't want to have to split it between any more people/responsibilities than I already have to. So yeah, I'm selfish. I'd rather be selfish than have kids and not be able to put my whole heart into raising them because I'm resentful of what I've had to sacrifice for them. I'm not going to bring a child into the world just because other people think that's what I should be doing. If I have kids, it'll be because I want them. Which would still be a selfish decision, incidentally.
Is choosing not to have kids selfish?
The short answer is no. The long answer is also no.
Not sure why that opinion would qualify to be detected as spam though?