Growing old without children

An organisation is spreading the message about the issue of growing old without children, through a show they are putting on in March.
'Ageing without the young' will be putting on their 19th show, by creating a theatrical piece for this year's international Women's festival in the city.

Sue Lister
Director of AWOC

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[Nokss]

This lady says it as it is, most people don't realize that having kids doesn't prevent you from being lonely.

[thor]

Trust me. Having children dosnt mean they will take care of you when you get older. Or even visit you. I’ve seen it many many times!

[lndingalle]

I worked at an elderly home, adult kids rarely came to see them anyway.

[dollcrazy]

I believe the best reason to have children is because you want them and you want to be a parent.

[theduckk]

I’ve heard a lot of people in general say that not having kids is selfish, but I think having kids for the sole hope that they will one day take care of you is on a whole other level of selfishness

[eversunnyst.petersburg]

Having children is no guarantee that they will care for you or even be kind to you. People should not apologize for not wanting children. It’s a individual choice.

[uchibenkei]

generally speaking, when parents don't prioritize their kids growing up, the kids won't prioritize you when you're older.

[adoseofreality]

When my friends ask me who’s gonna take care of me when I’m old, I tell them….. the same people that will probably be taking care of YOU! I’ll be across the hall from you at nursing home! LOL 😂.

[emmadalrymple]

I am 56, and both of my two children have died. My first child, a son, was still born at full term. A year later, I delivered a healthy daughter. She died when she was 18, in a car crash that also killed her boyfriend. I am twice divorced, and I live in my own house. I don't let my losses define who I am. I still have accomplishments and am always setting goals. I have achieved a few dreams along the way.

[sir._.losius._.]

I admire her philosophy. “Who’s says family had to be biological”

[life]

Don't have children if you have not healed your traumas. Plain and simple.

[BlackCoffeeee]

Many childless people have had time to develop strategies for coping with being alone as they age. I feel sorry for the elderly who were caught by surprise by being abandoned by family. They must be heartbroken.

[tbd]

If you make babies because you don’t want to be alone when your old you will be alone (without your children.). Children aren’t props, they are people.

[lalabyelulu]

When I was 8 years old I remember telling my mom I didn't want to have kids. She said "you don't have to." It blew my mind.

[MrsSlocombesPuddyCat]

I use to work in a nursing home, and there were hundreds of people in there who never saw their children. Families would come in at Easter or Christmas for an hour or two, then they were not seen for the rest of the year. If you have children with the hope that you have someone to take care of you when you are may be in for a very rude shock.

[KatelynDawnVoiceover]

I’m childfree by choice, and this is something that people threaten me with. “Who will take care of you when you are older?” And I also hear that I’m selfish to not have children. Quite honestly, I think it is selfish to expect that from your children. I started a meetup for childfree women in my community. I can foresee that I will continue being a community builder well into old age. It’s something that brings me great joy. People talk about legacy… well, facilitating a space where friendships have grown in a community where women felt like a unicorn and alone has been my greatest achievement.

[francklie]

I'm almost 60, never married and never wanted children and I have no regrets about these decisions and never felt lonely either.

[whengrapespop]

Fear of loneliness shouldn’t be a reason to have kids in the first place - having kids should be unconditional.

[TheRealWanderingMan]

I'm 33, never married, no kids. I told my mother when I was 10 that I never wanted kids and she replied "You'll change your mind one day". 23 years later and I haven't budged an inch, especially in today's world.

Edit: Now over 33.
Edit: Over 36, no change

[annwe]

What a bright woman, she glows as she speaks. She's like a beautiful, elderly, Elizabeth Tudor. I'm in my mid 50s and have no children. I have dear friends though and am involved in my community. Hopefully, if I make it to my 80s, I'll find other like minded souls and we can keep the party going together.