Anyone who dares to be different and suggest that being child-free is the better option is vilified as immature or selfish.
It's a brave woman who will stand up for her right not to have children.
Agreed.
Nothing is more mind-numbingly boring than "mummy talk".
Also agreed.
Even though I have opted out of parenting for many of the reasons the first author states, I do feel sorry for her kids when they are made aware of the things she has said. I don't see how they can help but feel like mistakes or regrets that have no real value. It's sad. Not that I think parents need to go to the other popular extreme of 'motherhood is the closest thing to god and children are precious miracles and life with kids is all puppies and rainbows'. This lady just sounds really bitter and is a walking advertisement for why people should back the fuck off and stop pressuring women who say they don't want kids to have them anyway. Because 'you'll love it when it's here' and 'it's different when it's your own'. Those are not universal thruths and maybe some women out there who don't want kids but think they have to because 'it's what you do' will think twice and find the guts to be true to themselves.
I worked all day, and then came home to shopping, cooking, cleaning and hours of homework, and all so my kids could treat me like a maid. It was so boring.
Being a working mum is like being in prison, but there's no time off for good behaviour and no electronic tags you can wear for a brief trip back to the freedom you've given up for your offspring.
I cannot help but wonder how much sexist stereotypes and rigid gender roles have impacted her feelings. There are lots of men who want women to have a kid for them so they have pics to put up and work and can check off that little box on the life script. Then, mommy gets stuck with all the cunt work and has no time for herself while duddy keeps his weekly golf game and beer after work on Wed with his buddies. Society sets much higher expectations for women and a woman has to do a lot more (read: make a ton more personal sacrifices) to be considered a good mom, where a dad had to just be sober and bring home a check to be considered a good dad. I can see where women would be more resentful. It doesn't even feel validating to me to hear her say she envies my lifestyle because it's so sad for everyone involved that she feels that way. On the other hand, wasn't she allowing herself to be dumped with all the domestic stuff? Why couldn't her husband have done the dishes or laundry? Martyr much?
The second woman is a perfect illustration of one my fears of parenthood, or even being around parents-too many women choose to trade in their identity as a person and a woman in favour of being 'mummy'. Motherhood shouldn't be an excuse to let oneself go, or to stop being an individual or a sexual being. I pity her husband, really.
Aella: couldn't have siad it better. Why do so many dumb bitches seem to take pride in the fact that they have no identity outside of being somebody's mom or wife?
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