• Mon, Oct 24 2011

Gallery: Ten Celebrities Give Their Reasons For Being Childless By Choice

Celebrity reproduction is a huge industry. With websites devoted to Hollywood pregnancy and starlet offspring, celebs are constantly pressured to explain their choices about having children. We here at Mommyish feel pretty sympathetic towards these celebrities, because hey, awkward questions suck! Unfortunately, actresses like Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz seem to be regularly harassed about the contents of their uterus and just when they’re going to procreate.

Choosing to be a parent is a big commitment. It’s a wonderful experience, but that doesn’t mean that it’s right for everyone. So why do we make our stars explain their choices as if they are in some way deficient because they don’t have kids? The fact is, no one needs to have children to be an amazing actress or a good person.  I wish that reproductive choice wasn’t seen as a character trait by so many. Then, celebs wouldn’t have to give these explanations for their personal decision whether or not to have kids.

Even though it shouldn’t have been asked, I have to admit that these stars handled the situation well. Some, like Ellen and Portia, let the whole thing be a joke. Others, like Ms. Diaz, were amazingly candid. No matter what their approach was, I’m happy to see so many standing by their decision.

Celebs, we promise never to be those journalists. No matter what your choice, we’re happy for you!

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  • annie

    Thank you for this! Choosing to have children is great, but so is choosing not to. I am 28, have been happily married for three years, and am considering not having children. I take care of myself and my community: I have a dog that I care for, I am a counselor, I love both my niece and nephew and look forward to spending time with them as well as get excited for their milestones, and I volunteer, yet, people still think I’m selfish and mean when I express that although children are great for some people, I probably won’t have them.

    • s

      28. bfd. You have tons of time. geez!

  • D

    While I don’t really look to celebrities (I don’t even know who many recent ones are…!!) for inspiration or example, I’m glad some speak about their feelings on this. I agree with many that I read above. People should not have to live by a script. Children are something that we can avoid if they are not something wished for now. This is a modern gift, and I think it really is a gift. Some traditional-minded people (and I often respect their stances) may disagree, but realistically, not everyone is suited for children-rearing. Even very good people. Some say childfree is a selfish way of life, yet, the people I know who have planned for their arrival are also sometimes making very selfish decisions–because they are lonely, because they want something cute to take care of, because they want to save a marriage (a terrible reason), and so on. While I have time for me, I also can preserve a relationship (I’ve been in a happy for one for over a decade)–marriage is known to put pressure on marriages. I can afford to help people outside my own family and if needed, in it, outside this house. To those who don’t know what they want–don’t give into pressure to have kids if you aren’t sure! Trust me, you can decide later or if not, I’m pretty sure you won’t die full of regrets unless you want things to regret…?

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  • BRIAN GIEBEL

    For more videos, essays and personal stories about childfree celebrities and others in the community, please visit WhyNoKids.com, where we will be happily posting a link to this story. (Also at Why No Kids? on Facebook)

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  • Briana

    It’s great that more people are choosing this. I’ve never had any desire to have children at all! I’m an independent career woman who has a LIFE instead of kids! lol!!!!

    For the mothers who THINK we’re jealous, your wrong. We’re not jealous because we DONT WANT KIDS! lol but you seem to not understand common sense. I love partying and doing what I want with my life, and buying nice things! Having a kid would be the saddest thing anyone could do! Do you want a life or kids? lol

    • http://www.facebook.com/famke.stewart Famke Stewart

      This almost seems like a troll. It sounds almost exactly like the stereotype of childfree women put out by mommy bloggers who want to find fault with the childfree. If not, then I have a few comments. First of all, stop using “lol” constantly. It’s stupid and unnecessary, unless you have some sort of tic where you laugh at random things all the time. Secondly, parents can have lives too. I think the difference is whether they chose it or not. It may not be the sort of life I would ever choose for myself, but that doesn’t make it inferior to yours.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Deanna-Jackson/617808744 Deanna Jackson

    Thank you for this. I chose not to have kids and I’m tired of having to justify my choice to be child-free to people around me and I’m tired of being treated like a freak of nature for being female and not being maternal.

  • OhPlease

    And you sound extremely sensitive to a simple statement made online by someone you don’t even know. GET OVER IT

  • BITCH!!!!

    I don’t believe Fergie – she’s married so she can betray her childfree opinion every moment.

  • BITCH!!!!

    Mothers sucks, children sucks. People with children are iditos.

  • KatDuck

    I love it when women who choose different paths – childfree/mothers, SAHM/working mom, foster parents/birth parent, had ‘em young/waited, whatever – support each other and are chill with others’ lives. My best aunt EVER was unmarried and childfree and it was awesome. I felt SO grown up with her, she had the time to spoil me and loved introducing me to her hobbies and interests, and she enriched my life so much. Every child should have it so good.

    There’s no “right” life path. We’re not playing that game. I love that some celebrities are willing to speak out against the trend and defend the life that’s best for them.

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