Childfree: Four women on why they don’t want kids | CloseUp

According to the latest population census, more married women - from those in their 20s to 50-somethings and older - are not having children. Some can't, and others decide not to.

Through the stories of Esther, Dawn, Joan and Shirlene, CloseUp finds out why they are childless by choice and how they react to the prevalent view that it is natural for women to want to be mothers.

CloseUp is an investigative video series by The Straits Times that gives a deeper look at issues that hit close to home.

#stcloseup #Singapore #childfree

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The Straits Times, the English flagship daily of SPH, has been serving readers for more than a century. Launched on July 15, 1845, its comprehensive coverage of world news, East Asian news, Southeast Asian news, home news, sports news, financial news and lifestyle updates makes The Straits Times the most-read newspaper in Singapore.

[theMermaidRhonda]

Why is it so shocking that some women simply don't want kids? Children are an option, not an obligation.

[LeauxNBehold]

When they asked the fourth woman why she didn’t want children and a kid was in the background making noise, and she simply said “that”. Lmao. That was perfect.

[mscherbeare]

You ķnow what is worse...not wanting kids after you've had them.

[theresaong]

Personal opinion here: I feel that if one is not ready to b mum or don’t want to b one then don’t b or else the child will suffer.

[Me]

NOT having children was the best decision I ever made.

[ameygade]

Normalise Asking "why do you want to have children"?

[WifeWithoutKids]

So happy to hear these ladies talking about their choice to live the childfree life. Making the choice to not be a mom doesn't mean there's something wrong with you. Parenthood isn't for everyone.

[nanditshabalala]

Funny how they wouldn't let her get her uterus removed but they let her husband choose what he wanted to do with his body and get a vasectomy.

[daisydavis]

I love how whenever I tell people I want a pet, they tell me "you don't need one, they are expensive and require a lot of work" but when I tell people I don't want kids they tell me "WHY NOT!!!?? YOU WERE PUT ON THIS EARTH TO HAVE KIDS!! YOU ARE A WOMAN AND YOU WOULD MAKE A GREAT MOM!! YOU'RE JUST GOING THROUGH A PHASE RIGHT NOW!!"

[Nani.]

I'm 50/50 on kids, and my soon partner is completely against them. I would much rather not have kids and "regret" it (and I could just adopt or be a foster parent) than have kids and regret having them. I'm not going to gamble with a child's life like that.

[Maybe-cgtn]

People need to quit trying to guilt trip women into having children they really don't want. Proud of these women for not letting others make their decisions for them. What is really upsetting is that they try to force women to have children by refusing sterilization for those that want it.

[drnol]

I'm a thirty-five year-old, single, childfree woman. I had a hysterectomy a couple of years ago and it was a godsend. Besides the physical illness, PTSD, and my nomadic lifestyle traveling the world, I just never really felt the desire to be a mom. No one has the right to force THE MOST life-changing decision to ever exist on us or our bodies. It's wonderful to hear the perspectives of childfree women from the other side of the globe. Congratulations, ladies, you're doing what's right for YOU. Love from the USA. 💜

[MissJubillee]

My son is adopted. I'm now raising my 3 nephews. Kids suck. I love my son and my nephews but I didn't want children. It's hard, it's expensive, I have no privacy, I have no freedom. Raising kids is no fun. Having a child is just not worth the hassle. Children are little kill joys.

[sobersteve]

I am a man and childfree. While most of my army buddies and friends have met their love ones and have a child or two I am still trying my luck to get a partner. The best part is after my breakup I learn to love myself more and have hobbies. I am so comfortable with my single life now that having a child will disrupt that and there will be a risk I am indifferent to my child thus creating a harmful cycle of hate, between parents and children.

If I manage to find a childfree partner it is the best of both worlds. If I am dating, will tell the girl I am comfortable with that I am Childfree on the first date. If she is on the fence or wants children then she has to look elsewhere. I am happy either being single or attached.

I will never sacrifice my beliefs for someone else at this stage.

[planetag]

Growing up, I'd see parents with babies & toddlers out shopping and I always looked at them with pity for having lost their freedom. As an adult, nothing has changed for me. Kids are noisy, demanding, and require lots of mental & emotional input from their caregivers. As an introvert who can't stand human noise, I've never had kids and don't regret it. And nobody can say I'm selfish for not having kids because if you're not cut out for parenthood, it would be selfish to bring kids into the world.

[moyndebs]

I’m a Childfree Nigerian guy. Overpopulation is one of the reasons Africa is poor. Although it’s a controversial topic here. Nice video 👍

[injusticeanywherethreatens]

There are childfree women and men around the world! We need to unite and advance and defend our reproductive rights!

[yuyongxinever]

Happy to see that more women dare to live their own life now

[rileystein]

This is great. More women should be speaking out for what they want. Having kids is a personal choice. My mother was probably expected to have children and she was miserable being a mother. She traumatized my father, brother, and myself instead of choosing her own life to live that would have made her happier. I'm not keen to have children either.

[BluuKiss]

I feel there's a lot of selflessness and sacrifice required to raise children.
It is better to regret not being a parent than to regret being a parent. Children don't choose to be born into this world.
If people are not ready, unable to provide for their children or feel they are not qualified to raise kids properly, then don't bring a child into this world to suffer. Singapore is a stressful country to live in and cost of living here is expensive. Don't force people to have kids.