The Downsides of Being Childfree

No one has it all.

In terms of childfree woman stereotypes, I personally identify as a Career-Focused Feminist with Tattoos and Way Too Many Skincare Products. (Pixabay)

I should not be writing this essay.

But I am, because I believe in choice and I feel like everyone should know the upsides and downsides of a choice before making it. And honestly, I haven’t heard anything from my side of this incredibly important decision.

I am avowedly childfree. I am not a mother, I don’t ever want to be a mother, and I feel the same way about having children that I do about becoming a plumber: That’s awesome, society needs it, no thank you.

But I’ve noticed a growing pressure in the childfree community to never ever show any doubt or uncertainty about the choice not to have children. To do so is considered a betrayal, and suggests that you’ve succumbed to the pro-breeder propaganda foisted upon society by conservatives and PTA mommies.

I feel so bad for these models. They don’t know they look like the Judging Parents. (Pixabay)

I’m not denying such propaganda exists. But to not show all angles of making this decision is just as cruel and deceptive as not being honest with an expectant mother about what exactly childbirth will do to her body (which, according to my mom friend, merits horrible punishment).