Thanks for posting that link. I've been looking for a non-paywalled version of the article.
And I loved that anchorwoman in the clip! She was so unapologetically thrilled about being childfree, and sharing that information about herself. Usually CF people interviewed on TV are more like the CF woman she was interviewing--openly CF, but more reserved about it, not willing to give it such a passionate sell. It was so refreshing to have her be all "CF is awesome!" through the entire interview.
Good clip. I think the childfree women need to start asking the ones with children "why did you have kids?". I'm a retired teacher and I like kids but never wanted to "own" one!
Just came here to see if you had posted about the Time article, and I see there are three posts!
I'll add this link to a Yahoo "article" which discusses the topic. It's not terrible overall, although there are some really annoying ideas raised by some:
I had a few quibbling points to make about the article, but on the whole it's a great general article on the lay of the land. I was pleasantly surprised that a mainstream magazine like TIME would be so sympathetic to being childfree.
I absolutely loved the quote about the "glamorous martyrdom" of being a parent. That deserves a whole article all by itself!
What I haven't seen yet is anyone point out the larger fact that the birthrate is declining because of parents themselves, NOT just because of childfree people. The childfree trend and the declining birthrate are related, but childfree people are not the only factor here.
The fact is that on average PARENTS ARE HAVING FEWER CHILDREN. That ought to tell us something. I bet people who have children stop at 1 or 2 for the same reasons that I stop at zero.
I would LOVE to see some real analysis about why parents are not into having as many kids as their parents and grandparents did. If someone decides to stop after having one kid, isn't that some sort of "selfishness" going on?
This is not some sort of weird American phenomenon. Every industrialized country all over the world has had a declining birthrate, no matter what the country's culture. It's closely related to the education level of the women in that society -- more educated the women, the lower the birth rate. That ought to be a clue....
I was pretty impressed with the article, and wholly second Shell on needing to ask childed women "why did you have kids?" I do ask people that, especially those who get judgmental on me for my CFdom. Shoe, other foot.
A bit off topic, but I've always wondered how many CF people are that way because they are career focused. I'm not sure it's as high as the media makes it out to be sometimes.
I love the media coverage on choosing not to have children. Unlike the anchorwoman, I did play with dolls, did lots of babysitting (still do), and didn't want to play baseball instead. I appreciate her perspective, but want to avoid creating more stereotypes of women who don't have kids; that they are child-phobic, tom-boys, or care more about their careers. There are so many reasons not to have kids, and such a wide variety of women behind that decision :)
I have known from the age of 9 years old, that I DID NOT want children! I am now 41 and STILL LOVE the fact that I am CHILDFREE!!!! When I see women with children, I think.."You POOR THING! You have RUINED your life for THE REST of your life!!!" Simply because being a parent, doesn't stop when children become 18 or 21!I LOVE my FREEDOM!!!!! Playing with dolls with my girlfriends at such a young age...their dolls would 'call' them 'mommy'...while mine were my CLIENTS at my BEAUTY SALON!!! I have had family, friends, and even STRANGERS ask me.."Don't you LIKE children?" I reply.."I have no problem with children...I just DON'T WANT TO RAISE THEM!" I have even given a man WITH children a chance. I am presently in a relationship with a man who has 2 children (It's hard to find a man at my age WITHOUT..ANY!).Again, I have NOTHING against children. I just don't want the RESPONSIBILITY of RAISING them!(they live with the grandmother. As long as I don't have to raise them...I'm GOOD!). I even went so far (because of my love for him) to let them have a sleepover at my home,with him. MY MISTAKE!!! By the time we took them home the next morning...We came back after dropping them off.. I went to get dressed for the day, (not thinking that I had to watch my things),went to put on my jewelry and LO..AND..BEHOLD! I had a 16 1/2 carat ring...and OTHER jewelry.. STOLEN!!! This is what I get for dealing with SOMEONE ELSE'S CHILDREN!! He wants me to forgive and hang out with he and them! I want NOTHING to do with these thieving BRATS!!! On top of that, he has YET to replace my jewelry! I am ready to leave him...and NEVER date a man with children under 18 again!!! Again, I have nothing against children. I just LOVE the FREEDOM of not having to RAISE them! I LOVE a CHILDFREE LIFE!!!!!
Thanks for posting that link. I've been looking for a non-paywalled version of the article.
ReplyDeleteAnd I loved that anchorwoman in the clip! She was so unapologetically thrilled about being childfree, and sharing that information about herself. Usually CF people interviewed on TV are more like the CF woman she was interviewing--openly CF, but more reserved about it, not willing to give it such a passionate sell. It was so refreshing to have her be all "CF is awesome!" through the entire interview.
I loved the statement "it's not like they do not like kids they just don't want to own one"!
ReplyDeleteGood clip. I think the childfree women need to start asking the ones with children "why did you have kids?".
ReplyDeleteI'm a retired teacher and I like kids but never wanted to "own" one!
Just came here to see if you had posted about the Time article, and I see there are three posts!
ReplyDeleteI'll add this link to a Yahoo "article" which discusses the topic. It's not terrible overall, although there are some really annoying ideas raised by some:
http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/is-being-childfree-selfish--debating-time-magazine-s-touchy-new-issue-204219641.html
I had a few quibbling points to make about the article, but on the whole it's a great general article on the lay of the land. I was pleasantly surprised that a mainstream magazine like TIME would be so sympathetic to being childfree.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved the quote about the "glamorous martyrdom" of being a parent. That deserves a whole article all by itself!
A lot of buzz about this article.
ReplyDeleteWhat I haven't seen yet is anyone point out the larger fact that the birthrate is declining because of parents themselves, NOT just because of childfree people. The childfree trend and the declining birthrate are related, but childfree people are not the only factor here.
The fact is that on average PARENTS ARE HAVING FEWER CHILDREN. That ought to tell us something. I bet people who have children stop at 1 or 2 for the same reasons that I stop at zero.
I would LOVE to see some real analysis about why parents are not into having as many kids as their parents and grandparents did. If someone decides to stop after having one kid, isn't that some sort of "selfishness" going on?
This is not some sort of weird American phenomenon. Every industrialized country all over the world has had a declining birthrate, no matter what the country's culture. It's closely related to the education level of the women in that society -- more educated the women, the lower the birth rate. That ought to be a clue....
I was pretty impressed with the article, and wholly second Shell on needing to ask childed women "why did you have kids?" I do ask people that, especially those who get judgmental on me for my CFdom. Shoe, other foot.
ReplyDeleteA bit off topic, but I've always wondered how many CF people are that way because they are career focused. I'm not sure it's as high as the media makes it out to be sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI love the media coverage on choosing not to have children. Unlike the anchorwoman, I did play with dolls, did lots of babysitting (still do), and didn't want to play baseball instead. I appreciate her perspective, but want to avoid creating more stereotypes of women who don't have kids; that they are child-phobic, tom-boys, or care more about their careers. There are so many reasons not to have kids, and such a wide variety of women behind that decision :)
ReplyDeleteThis made me stressed out just reading it (thought you might want to post it):
ReplyDeletehttp://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/04/being-a-working-mother-means-always-having-to-say-youre-sorry/?smid=pl-share
I have known from the age of 9 years old, that I DID NOT want children! I am now 41 and STILL LOVE the fact that I am CHILDFREE!!!! When I see women with children, I think.."You POOR THING! You have RUINED your life for THE REST of your life!!!" Simply because being a parent, doesn't stop when children become 18 or 21!I LOVE my FREEDOM!!!!! Playing with dolls with my girlfriends at such a young age...their dolls would 'call' them 'mommy'...while mine were my CLIENTS at my BEAUTY SALON!!! I have had family, friends, and even STRANGERS ask me.."Don't you LIKE children?" I reply.."I have no problem with children...I just DON'T WANT TO RAISE THEM!" I have even given a man WITH children a chance. I am presently in a relationship with a man who has 2 children (It's hard to find a man at my age WITHOUT..ANY!).Again, I have NOTHING against children. I just don't want the RESPONSIBILITY of RAISING them!(they live with the grandmother. As long as I don't have to raise them...I'm GOOD!). I even went so far (because of my love for him) to let them have a sleepover at my home,with him. MY MISTAKE!!! By the time we took them home the next morning...We came back after dropping them off.. I went to get dressed for the day, (not thinking that I had to watch my things),went to put on my jewelry and LO..AND..BEHOLD! I had a 16 1/2 carat ring...and OTHER jewelry.. STOLEN!!! This is what I get for dealing with SOMEONE ELSE'S CHILDREN!! He wants me to forgive and hang out with he and them! I want NOTHING to do with these thieving BRATS!!! On top of that, he has YET to replace my jewelry! I am ready to leave him...and NEVER date a man with children under 18 again!!! Again, I have nothing against children. I just LOVE the FREEDOM of not having to RAISE them! I LOVE a CHILDFREE LIFE!!!!!
ReplyDelete