'I always knew motherhood wasn't for me'
New UK|April 17, 2023
With 37% of Brits not wanting children*, author Ruby Warrington discusses why starting a family is not on her agenda and why more women are making the same choice
'I always knew motherhood wasn't for me'

According to a 2020 YouGov poll, 37% of Brits never want children. And – this might have you choking on your coffee seven out of 10 Gen Zers (those aged 11 to 26) say they’d rather have a pet than be a parent!

Of course, the vast majority (around 80%) of non-parents are what’s called “childless by-circumstance”, meaning they always expected they’d become parents, but things just haven’t worked out.

But for me, at the age of 46, I identify as “childless-by-choice”, having known from an early age that motherhood was not for me. And it’s a decision that has been met with a mixture of disbelief, curiosity and outright contempt.

As I discovered when researching my new book, Women Without Kids, changing attitudes are reflected in UK fertility rates, which have fallen by roughly 17% in the past decade.**

It’s a similar picture in the US, where 50% of women aged 30 and over don’t have children; the first time the scales have tipped into the negative since records began in 1920. With this trend reflected across the globe, the world’s population is predicted to peak in 2064 and 23 nations will see their population shrink by more than half by 2100.

It’s easy to forget that these stats reflect the deeply personal, sometimes controversial and often highly conflicted life choices of millions of individual women. So often, those like me, who don’t become parents, are painted as sad, selfish or somehow dysfunctional. In reality there are many very valid reasons not to be a mum.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 17, 2023 من New UK.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 17, 2023 من New UK.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من NEW UK مشاهدة الكل
A STICKY SITUATION
New UK

A STICKY SITUATION

Actors Chris Diamantopoulos and Guillaume Cyr bond with Margo Martindale and get beaten up by Jamie Lee Curtis in a riotous new comedy drama series

time-read
3 mins  |
December 02, 2024
THIS IS CHRISTMAS ACTUALLY
New UK

THIS IS CHRISTMAS ACTUALLY

Love Actually writer and director Richard Curtis gifts the world a new festive film this year

time-read
3 mins  |
December 02, 2024
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
New UK

LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF

The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for peoplepleasers who struggle to put their own needs first

time-read
4 mins  |
December 02, 2024
Caught on dashcam injecting her ex with fatal dose of 'poison"
New UK

Caught on dashcam injecting her ex with fatal dose of 'poison"

Amanda Hovanec enlisted her lover and her mother in her cold-blooded plot

time-read
4 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'I looked better getting married at 53 than I did at 23!'
New UK

'I looked better getting married at 53 than I did at 23!'

Wellbeing coach Sarah-Jane Clark, from Swindon, shares how she achieved her dream of wearing a size 10 wedding dress after losing 12st

time-read
5 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'I am so looking forward to Christmas'
New UK

'I am so looking forward to Christmas'

Helen Flanagan shares her plans for the holidays with her new boyfriend Robbie Talbot and her kids

time-read
3 mins  |
December 02, 2024
I'm turning the anger into positive energy
New UK

I'm turning the anger into positive energy

His best friend's death has made Gok Wan rethink life

time-read
4 mins  |
December 02, 2024
‘I'm careful with who I allow in my inner circle
New UK

‘I'm careful with who I allow in my inner circle

Actress and presenter Kéllé Bryan on managing fame and fronting a new fashion initiative

time-read
4 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'There were rats..it is a real jungle
New UK

'There were rats..it is a real jungle

Marvin Humes on his I'm A Celebrity experience, backing his buddies and the importance of kindness

time-read
4 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'It's not going to be sexy Maura on I'm A Celeb'
New UK

'It's not going to be sexy Maura on I'm A Celeb'

Model Caprice Bourret tells new about her festive traditions and starring in and producing a Christmas film

time-read
4 mins  |
December 02, 2024