Childless by Choice: Is There a Stigma?

More women are choosing not to have children now than in previous generations. Some wonder if this is a mistake the women will regret when they are older, and it is too late to have a child.

Being childless is a choice that has certainly been made by women in the past. Some famous women have decided not to have children for personal reasons. Often it is due to health or career decisions. However, what about those no so famous choosing to be childless?

A recent discussion on the Joy Behar show with some who are childless by choice, or CBC as they are often called, gave viewers more information about some choosing to be childless and their reasons for making this choice.

Those who are critical of the choice to be childless have stated that not having children is selfish. A quick look in the dictionary will show the uninformed making such comments do not understand the meaning of selfish. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary online, selfish means in part excessive concern with oneself. Also, someone seeking one's own pleasure and advantage. For a complete definition, view the dictionary online here.

In most cases remaining childless may be a better choice than having a child when it is not wanted. There are many stories where women said they were happy they had a child after it was born when they thought they wanted to remain childless. However, that won't always be the case.

Some women avoiding motherhood say they have no maternal instinct, while others say they never had the desire to have children. To learn more about making a choice to live without parenting sites such as childlessbychoiceproject.com may be of interest.

Like many others, this writer believes the choice to have children is a serious one. If more people in the world not wanting children did not have children, would the world be a better place?

Women choosing to remain childless are sometimes questioned about this as many feel there must be something wrong with any female not wanting to reproduce. However, men are not questioned in the same manner. It seems to be accepted that some men don't want to get married and have no desire to parent a child or reproduce.

Books have been written, comments have been made and websites exist to offer information for those deciding if being childless is for them. There doesn't seem to be as much of a stigma now as there was even 10 years ago when a person decides to remain childless. To view information about research done of single, married and partnered individuals about the choice to be childless view the website childessbychoiceproject.com.

Sources:

Merriam-Webster

Childlessbychoiceproject.com

Joy Behar

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