Why is this STILL a life choice that is labelled taboo?
Today, I did a radio interview that made me feel like a freak.
I knew that I was in for some tough questions on a very personal topic, but I never expected to be sitting here feeling so rattled afterwards.
Let me rewind.
I was approached to be a guest on Melbourne’s breakfast radio show Kiis 101.1 with Jane Hall and Matt Tilley as part of a series they are doing called “Taboo”.
As part of this series, they have interviewed cousins who married each other and had kids. And they’ve interviewed a racist who wants all Muslims kicked out of Australia.
My Taboo topic? The fact that I don’t want children.
For starters, that premise is shaky: Is it 1960? How can this still be considered a taboo topic in 2015?
But I get it, it’s a taboo for a woman not to conform to The Motherhood.
I have never wanted children but I was only brave enough to start saying it publicly recently. I’m 41 years old, engaged to a wonderful man and neither of us want children.
Read more: Why is it so controversial when a woman doesn’t want children?
It’s hard to describe but to my doubters I’d just say: “You know how you just know deep in your core that you want kids? Well I have that same conviction to not have children. I just know.”
Top Comments
I'd rather read about a woman who has made a conscious decision to not have children than one of many stories about so-called "wanted" children that are terribly neglected or abused. Why is Shelley's decision not congratulated on these grounds alone?
i relate to this 100% - and i have the same last name as you - intriguing??