Why should I have children?

Last weekend whilst watching the BBC’s panelist debate show The Big Question as I often do, the mention of the forthcoming ‘question’ are modern mothers selfish i.e. should they have careers when wanting or having a family, nearly made me shoot my orange flavoured options out through my nose. Surely they did not have to discuss this? Last time I checked we had entered 2009 not 1959.

I am at the age were some might say having a baby should be on the cards soon but others (including myself) would say I am still a child myself.

Babies, just the very word sends me running for the hills. The truth is I have no desire to procreate and have no problem as a woman with saying that. Friends including myself used to think it was something I would grow out of but the truth is I don’t have a mothering bone in my body and don’t feel ‘guilty’ for not having so. I have nothing against women who choose to have kiddies, just don’t look at me like I am the child-catcher from chitty chitty bang bang because I don’t want one either, nor do I appreciate those telling me ‘ahh you will change your mind’, how patronising and annoying. People never question those with a burning desire to have kids, I choose not to have kids ok, I want a career not stretchmarks I want freedom and don’t want to have to be rearing a child into this world for the next 20 years, it won’t fit in with my life plans or exotic holidays.

I can hear the disapproving collective gasps of the bugaboo pushing yummy mummy crowd that dissect every detail of little Edwards hand-painting, ugh I personally couldn’t imagine anything more banal.
Why should women be made to feel as if they are not fulfilling their duty because they aren’t popping out babies like tic tacs? Just because one has the capability of doing something it doesn’t mean they must. Just like life, it’s all about choices and mine includes never having to touch a nappy unless I accidently brushing past one in a supermarket aisle.

Not all females who only hear the pitter patter of tiny feet in their nightmares are cold and child-hating. I certainly do not hate children i am just indifferent toward them
It wasn’t so long ago women fought to separate their identities, however fast forward a couple of decades and suddenly women seem to be happy to regress to outdated stereotypes. I am dreading the day when my friend are happy to talk about baby-food blends and highchair brands 24/7 I know I certainly will not.