Research-backed
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Back in the day, all women had to do was have children and take care of the family. Because men were the sole breadwinners of the family, and women did not receive education and did not have a career. However, things are very different in today’s world. Women are given quality education and have the opportunity to pursue a career. They do not have to conform to society’s pressure of getting married and having kids if they don’t choose it.
With more women becoming adept in various fields, the number of women who choose to become a mother is starting to decline. One study suggests that more intelligent individuals prefer to remain childless than less intelligent individuals (1). It shows that while intelligent men and women express their preference to remain childless, more intelligent women (and not men) are likely to remain without a child after their reproductive careers. Here are a few reasons why women are choosing to be childfree:
1. Mothers Are Less Likely to Be Treated As Equals In A Work Environment
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There are several disadvantages to being a working mother. They are perceived to be less incompetent and suffer a wage gap. However, men experience no drawbacks to being a father. Every organization might say that they treat women with equality, but the reality is different. Women observed a clear bias when it comes to hiring mothers, which fathers do not deal with.
2. Mothers Tend To Get Sick More Often
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Parents with children below the age of 5 tend to contract viruses, bacteria, and other causes of falling sick more often. A study published in 2015 found that since kids have developing immune systems, they are likely to catch an infection quickly. Parents who are surrounded by kids tend to contract the infection, making them susceptible to falling ill (2).
3. Children Add Pressure On A Marriage
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Marriage is hard. It is not a smooth sailing journey and requires mutual understanding, patience and dedication. Adding a child to the mix may lead to further complications and put a strain on the relationship. You might find yourself drifting away from your partner after becoming parents because the level of satisfaction decreases between the two.
4. It Benefits The Environment
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Climate change has been a hot topic for the last few years. Every individual is responsible for taking care of the environment and contributing to making it safer and better for the future. Having fewer children reduces the stress on the environment and makes it habitable for the coming years. Having one less child reduces carbon dioxide emissions by a large extent, and environmentally conscious women make this conscious decision (3).
5. Have A Different Vision For Life
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Society believes that the role of a woman is complete when she becomes a mother. But modern thinking does not allow for such ideologies that put women in a box. Unlike the olden days, women have active flourishing careers, rule countries, and manage successful businesses. If you want to travel the world, run a company, and not be tied down by the responsibilities that come with being a mother, you don’t have to be one. It’s okay to have a vision for your life that does not behoove society.
Whether you’re a mother or not, it’s your life and your choice. Do not let the world tell you what you have to do because it’s up to you. If you want to be a mother and focus on your baby, that’s great for you. If you’re someone who wants to have a working career while also embracing motherhood, nothing should stop. Or if you’re a woman who does not want a baby, that’s completely okay too. Don’t let the world dim your light. You do you!
