| Whilst there are many reasons why people | | | | potential parents have the same hopes and fears |
| choose to have a family, there are also just as | | | | for themselves and their potential off-springs. It |
| many reasons why an individual person or a | | | | may be as simple as lacking the time and energy |
| couple may choose to be child-free. In a society | | | | to commit to a family, as deep as not wanting to |
| where it is deemed normal to have children, | | | | bring a child into an unstable, and sometimes |
| deciding not to start a family of your own is a big | | | | violent world, or as practical as not having, or not |
| decision that can be seen as a little strange, and in | | | | wanting to commit the finances that are required |
| some cases unnatural. Some people will even | | | | to raise a child. The reasons are endless. |
| have the audacity to go as far as to suggest that | | | | And what makes a person that wants a child |
| if there isn't a medical reason behind your choice | | | | different from someone that doesn't? Well again |
| not to procreate, then there must be something | | | | the reasons are endless. People that are |
| seriously wrong with you. | | | | considering being child-free may be perfectly |
| So with such a high public opinion and strong social | | | | happy and fulfilled in their lives and their |
| stigma surrounding families and child free women, | | | | relationships, and enjoying the freedom and |
| why do people, women in particular, choose to be | | | | spontaneity that comes with being on their own, |
| childfree? Well it is quite simple really. They just | | | | or enjoying time with a life-long partner. They |
| choose to. Now no matter what you may think. | | | | may just not feel the need to add anything or |
| Deciding, or considering to be child-free is a huge | | | | anyone else to the equation. |
| and difficult decision. Many people do not consider | | | | Others may feel that they are already committing |
| or even realise that there is more soul searching | | | | all their time and energy to a business, a |
| and deliberating undertaken reaching this decision | | | | community project, or to trying to save the |
| then its alternative. And that in making it, it can | | | | world, and have their whole mind, body and soul |
| sometimes eat away at a couple for a good | | | | committed to this life, and not have the time, |
| many years, as they wonder again and again if | | | | energy or space to dedicate to a family. There |
| they have done the right thing, and if they will | | | | are also people that just simply have an inner |
| indeed live to regret it. | | | | knowledge that just tells them that they just |
| Usually a person or couple will think longer and | | | | don't want to have a family, the same way a |
| harder about not having a child than their | | | | person may just wake up one morning and just |
| counterparts will when they actually decide that a | | | | know they want to be a Doctor or a musician. |
| family is for them. Most people think that once a | | | | Just because someone chooses to be child-free |
| firm decision has been made from the heart and | | | | doesn't mean that there is any reason that they |
| the head, that there wouldn't be any reason to | | | | can't be happy in their life. Or that will be missing |
| doubt yourself, but considering the fact that no | | | | out on something. What people always have to |
| one would ever question why someone would | | | | remember is that children can't just be returned if |
| want to have a family, and everyone seems to | | | | you realise just a little too late that parenting isn't |
| be very curious to know why you don't want to | | | | for you. They are a lifelong commitment of love, |
| have one. This train of thinking is completely | | | | energy, patience, and giving, and something that |
| understandable. | | | | you have to be 100% sure about. |
| Honestly when you really think about it, people | | | | Sure parents do receive a bounty of beautiful |
| are usually very perplexed as to what your | | | | moments and memories for all their hard work, |
| particular reason is for not having a baby. Is it | | | | however for those people who choose to be |
| that you really don't want one? Or is there just | | | | childfree; these moments will be found in other |
| some reason why you haven't decided to do it | | | | ways. Their life journey may allow them to |
| just yet? Maybe you are just waiting for your | | | | channel all of this love, energy, and patience into |
| husband's next promotion! Or some other simple | | | | their partnerships, friendships, or into other areas |
| reason! Surely there has to be more to it than | | | | of their family. Sometimes having the freedom |
| just not wanting too. Unfortunately no matter | | | | and time to pursue other goals and interests |
| what you may say, people will speculate and will | | | | allows a person to gain these moments through |
| always ask questions. They will always just have | | | | working in their local community or abroad. And |
| to know. And unfortunately well meaning family, | | | | that is a wonderful thing, too. |
| friends and colleagues can often be the worst | | | | Honestly there are over six billion people in the |
| offenders, and the one's that may not want to | | | | world, and not every one of us needs to |
| let the matter go. | | | | contribute to society through increasing the |
| This questioning will be something that most | | | | population. Many of us have a skill or a passion |
| child-free couples will continue to face throughout | | | | that is unique to us, and we can make the world |
| their lives, and will be something that they will | | | | a better place simply through pursuing those goals |
| need to accept as part of being child-free in a | | | | and interests. Some people may call this selfish or |
| family oriented society. Though, this doesn't mean | | | | unnatural, but to me I just think that people |
| that they can't keep a couple of smart and witty | | | | should be able to just live their lives and do what |
| retorts up their sleeves for such situations. So | | | | makes them happy, no matter whether that |
| what are some of the reasons why people may | | | | includes a child or not. So, in conclusion, does |
| choose to be child free? Well, they are probably | | | | child-free mean 'alien from another planet'? 'NO!' It |
| very similar too, or just the opposite of the | | | | simply means that 'just because you can doesn't |
| reasons why people choose to have children. Most | | | | always mean that you should'... |