Deciding not to have children is NOT being selfish

One of the most pervasive myths about people who decide not to have children is that they are selfish.  It's something I try to combat every time I'm interviewed on the radio or for a newspaper.

In August, this great article The choice to be child-free is admirable not selfish by Jill Filipovic was published.  In it, she points out that through allowing the choice to be child-free to be seen as a viable one, we actually allow people to make the choice to have children in a more thoughtful and considered way.

'Substantial numbers of people choosing not to have children also makes clear that having children should actually be a choice for everyone. Encouraging women and men to really assess their own lives, circumstances, values and desires, and evaluate whether a child is an addition they want, not only helps individuals to make more informed and affirming decisions, but sheds light on the many factors that make reproduction so fraught.'

An excellent and well written article!