“I'm in the fortunate minority, and have very rarely had to justify my decision not to have children.“
Childfree Story: Marianna, 32, UK
“I know I’m in the fortunate minority, but I have very rarely had to justify my decision not to have children.
Perhaps it’s where I live and the company I keep, but in my social circles I can count the women with children on the fingers of one hand. Of course, I know this is likely to change as I get older as I make new friends with different life experiences or as my existing friends’ own circumstances change, but at 32, I’ve really not encountered much invasive questioning or judgement whatsoever.
I’m as firm in my understanding that motherhood is not for me as I’ve ever been, but recently the algorithm overlords have been showing me more and more divisive parenting content, with women who are outspoken about their choice to remain childfree utterly demonised in the comment sections.
It’s really shone a light on how many still view my decision, which has definitely left a sour taste in my mouth. The fact that I’ve even found this community in the first place and subsequently felt compelled to offer my own commentary on the subject, when the topic wouldn’t have even featured in my periphery a year ago, is a sign that outdated, misogynistic attitudes about ‘a woman’s role’ are regaining traction.”
I've never really had any pushback either, and so grateful that this platform and group offer a safe,
loving and inclusive environment for all of us Childfree folk.
Up until I was 38 I didn’t face any questioning or scrutiny either. It was when I moved overseas that it changed. Unfortunately demographics also influence the way society treats childfree people.