An increasing number of British women are childless, whether by choice or because of infertility. A recent study highlights that that 20% of women enter menopause without having had a baby. The truth is, more and more women are opting out of giving birth. However, as women decide not to have children, they’re also receiving additional pressure to change their minds. Why do women decide not to have kids? There are many great reasons to choose not to have a child, and women can accomplish much more than motherhood.
Physical limitations and conscious decisions
There are a variety of reasons why a woman might decide to forego childbirth. Some women are physically unable to give birth. Others aren’t in a committed relationship. But women also forego childbirth for more personal reasons. Maybe they don’t want to deal with the changes to their bodies and the struggle of getting back to normal after having a baby. They may not want the huge time and financial commitment of having a family. Without children, many women can accomplish more, whether they want to focus on a career or travel the world or follow a life-long dream.
The complications
Of course, it’s not always straightforward to decide not to have babies. Unless a woman has decided to be childless and celibate, she’ll have to find a birth control that works for her. Far too many birth control methods come with side effects, along with the extra expense and doctor visits and daily reminders in the case of the pill. Aside from those physical limitations, there is huge pressure from society. Women are supposed to have kids, and for women who choose not to, there is sometimes heavy social stigma.
What can we do differently?
It’s important for women to remember that having children is their choice and no one should guilt them for their decision, or in many cases, for something they had no control over. We as a society need to be more understanding of women who have decided not to have children, and we need to allow them the right to have children or not. The reality is that life without children can be incredibly freeing. Without the extra time commitment of kids, women can direct their energies toward their passions.
A woman without children can dedicate more space to her career and has an easier time moving up in her workplace. She has the flexibility to travel at a moment’s notice, or to work the hours she needs. Plus, a woman with no children has more time for herself, to do activities she loves or to spend more time with friends. Despite some of the pressure from society, living without children can be incredibly freeing and empowering. There is so much more to being a woman!
