Will being child-free make you happy?

It’s the biggest decision you’ll ever have to make, but what if becoming a parent is something you’re just not sure about? With the costs, environmental consequences and potential sacrifices of bringing up children, would women be happier if they didn't have kids?

The latest episode of our Off Limits series looks at becoming a parent, discusses the pressures on women to have children and asks if women would be happier if they never had children.

[neonxnational]

parenthood is an option, not a life mission.

[erinrobinson]

I'll pass. The psychiatric disorders and intergenerational abuse running in my family do not need to be perpetuated.

[phiakate]

"What have we done wrong"? We left women in silent resentment struggling to deal with every aspect of childcare without any real level of support.

[fulanichild]

I'm 64 and childless. Zero regrets.

[Carorca]

There are other things in life beyond being a parent.

[seniri]

I can't think of any reason why I should chose to be a mother and end my perfectly happy, free and independent life.

[justanothersherlockian]

I don't want to bring someone innocent into this cruel world.

[trish.goes.ironman]

33 and childless 👌🏽 Don't regret a thing

[brokenfractal]

Finding a childfree by choice partner is really wonderful, but not always the easiest to find. I'm very lucky. 10 yrs strong.

[themancuniancandidate]

I'm 53 in 2 weeks, and am no closer to being a dad now than I was when I was in my 20s. I've travelled the world, lived in six countries, owned some amazing cars, had adventures that most people can only dream of, and now live two minutes from the beach in sunny Western Australia. I get up when I want, see who I want to see, do what I want to do, and go out for drinks or dinner whenever I damn well please. None of that would have been possible with crotch goblins to look after. Some people might say I'm selfish. I prefer to call myself free.

[marcinabrown]

It's up to the individual. So many bad parents out there.

[ventibreeze]

I’m 54 married and childless by choice and I have no regrets.

[sameerhinduja]

We are 1.4 billion people in india. No just no. A woman who doesn't procreate is doing a huge favour to the planet.

[nclmkrr]

I'm in my 40s now and decided in my teens that my DNA would be better stopping with me. No regrets x

[_VC._]

I don't have any maternal desire to be pregnant/give birth/raise a human. 🤮

[imbok]

The answer for me was simple - being childfree has been exactly the right decision for me.

[FrikaWies]

Being an aunt is better than being a mom.

[mr.logician]

I don't wanna bring an innocent life in this world and prepare him for the ruthless world

[internetjunkie]

I’m 37 and I have no regrets not being a dad . I’m university educated, I own my own home, I run my own business and I don’t owe the banks a cent . #NoRegrets

[nhiocazafar]

Too many poor people having babies!!!! They can’t afford them, why have them