When I meet new people and they inevitably ask if I have children, I just say no. Followed by embarrassing silence as they realise I might not be able to have children. I end up saying my partner has two to put them at ease. I think that question will eventually become off limits
This is a very good, and thought-provoking essay. In between academic careers, I was a stay-at-home dad for seven years. I raised three kids virtually single-handedly. (Their mom was off to work before they woke up and was not home until after they went to bed.) I certainly got my share of ridicule and negativity because I was not working at a "real job". By the way, no one would say that to a woman, would they? So, some people want children, some people do not, and some people regret choosing one or the other. That is the nature of life. It seems to me that we should get rid of all the judgmental name-calling and, instead, celebrate and support people in whatever choices they make. Everyone's goal, like yours, should be to make the world a better place.
Julie, you always make me laugh. Thank you!
When I meet new people and they inevitably ask if I have children, I just say no. Followed by embarrassing silence as they realise I might not be able to have children. I end up saying my partner has two to put them at ease. I think that question will eventually become off limits
This is a very good, and thought-provoking essay. In between academic careers, I was a stay-at-home dad for seven years. I raised three kids virtually single-handedly. (Their mom was off to work before they woke up and was not home until after they went to bed.) I certainly got my share of ridicule and negativity because I was not working at a "real job". By the way, no one would say that to a woman, would they? So, some people want children, some people do not, and some people regret choosing one or the other. That is the nature of life. It seems to me that we should get rid of all the judgmental name-calling and, instead, celebrate and support people in whatever choices they make. Everyone's goal, like yours, should be to make the world a better place.