I don't want children -- stop telling me I'll change my mind | Christen Reighter

One in five women in the United States will not have a biological child, and Christen Reighter is one of them. From a young age, she knew she didn't kids, in spite of the insistence of many people (including her doctor) who told her she'd change her mind. In this powerful talk, she shares her story of seeking sterilization -- and makes the case that motherhood is an extension of womanhood, not the definition.

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more.

[Antique_engineer_]

I always get the “Who is going to care for you when you get old?!” ugh kids are not a retirement plan.

[Jcon]

Sad how society cares more about you having kids rather than taking care of kids.

[stephaniepersin]

You can’t be selfish to something that doesn’t exist. No woman is obligated to procreate.

[allankuria]

Look, children, by virtue of their innocence, deserve to be raised by people who actually WANT to raise them. Never let anyone shame you for not wanting kids because not wanting kids is a perfectly good reason not to have them.

[minecraftkitten]

I always tell ppl, I'd rather regret not having kids than regret having kids.

[knght-]

If I ever *DO* want children, I'll adopt

[richardseifried]

I'm 84 years old. Never had children. Never wanted any. Never changed my mind.
Sure glad I never had any.

[Socket_Wrench]

I don't think I'll ever be able to fathom how such a simple and harmless decision as not having children sparked so much controversy and debate

[dylankornberg]

God, I can't wait to never have children.

[kaleidoscopeeyes]

People have children for selfish reasons all the time. No one harasses them about their choice.

[TaurielTheElf]

Every time someone tells me "You'll change your mind later" I always hit them with the good ol' "Would you change your mind about _having_ children?"

[carmstrong]

There's nothing selfish about not wanting to have kids. The most selfish thing is to have children and to abandon them. Dead beat parants are some of the most selfish people in the world.

[krystalsaucedo]

I want kids. I want to be a mom. She does not want kids. She does not want to be a mom. Nobody fights me on my opinion but she has to validate hers to anyone who asks her to. I’m glad she made this talk.

[squippites]

I hate the question “who’s going to take care of me when you’re older?” Because the children aren’t your maids for the rest of your life after they go to college.

[torietorreano]

I am a former foster child. This woman is a hero.

[Rainjojo]

Abusive parents: *abuses the people they hope will take care of them when they’re old*

People: this is fine

Me: I don’t want kids because i wouldn’t want another person to feel pain

People: YOURE SELFISH

[javelinnia]

Some people think that blood connection is what makes people a family. Surprise: your husband/wife is not blood-connected to you. Still you call them family.

[niquib]

"What if your next partner wants children?"

I rolled my eyes back so far, I saw my brain.

[lagoonbeach]

I’ll never forget a conversation I had with another female who ultimately looked down on me for not “embracing the gift of life” after stating I never wanted children. It’s not selfish. Us women who don’t want to bare children don’t owe society anything. If we don’t want to be parents, that’s OUR decision.

[eviechang]

I don't get why everyone gets surprised whenever someone says that they don't want a child.