Save your pity. There are no sad stories here. A growing number of Indians - married, attached and single- are choosing to not have children. They're not childless; they identify as child-free. They'll tell you why: Kids aren't an essential component of a happy life; not producing offspring puts an end to generational trauma and genetically transferred medical conditions; it allows for greater individual freedoms. Besides, it's better on the environment and on the pocket.
But child-free folks shouldn't have to tell you anything. It's as much of a personal choice as having kids. And yet, most of them go through life having to justify their decision to friends, family and the upstairs neighbour, and to prove, somehow, that they're not low-key psychopaths.
"The only problem with not wanting kids is having to tell people about it over and over," says Shannon Fernandes, 30, single and founder of travel company Vagabond Experiences. "It's better than having kids I didn't want in the first place, but in 2024, it's still a problem." Brunch spoke to Fernandes along with other child-free Indians, on what it means to plan a life without children, and the challenges along the way.
Better together
Corporate professional Madhusree Ghosh, 40, lives in Mumbai and has been married for 12 years to her college sweetheart, who did not wish to be named. Both worry about bringing a child into a world heading towards destruction. "Genocide takes place so often, the climate is degrading day by day, and there are so many other problems," Ghosh says.
"We worry that the planet will not be liveable by the time our children grow up." For their extended family, however, the bigger problem is that the couple is selfishly choosing their own happiness over that of a potential larger family.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Let's tri all the angles
BFFs falling for the same girl, kidnap twists, murders, bromances. These 10 three-way love stories play with geometry and our feelings
Should you Q up for this?
Audi's luxury SUV, the Q8, has had a refresh. But a sleeker grille and headlight tech don't make up for what's still missing
How to plan a great escape
It's getting colder. It's already hard to breathe. Why not plan a winter vacation that's a world away but not too far away?
Kababs, yes, but khandvi too
Mughlai cuisine has as many vegetarian dishes as meaty ones. A new translation of a 16th century manuscript shows how we ate, and why modern labels are pointless
I can be your hero
Gurfateh Pirzada, only afewroles old, is the green flag we didn't know we needed. He's learning from women. He wants to be more thana lover and a fighter. He's hoping we all do better. No wonder everyone's crushing on him
Meet the export experts
Khadi crop-tops in Spain, faux-leather hoodies in London, fairytale wedding gowns in the UAE. See how some desi labels are killing it on foreign shores
Why we're all feeling Blue
Coco Mellors's new novel is about grief, sisterhood, and of course, addiction and unlikeable women. How does she make it work?
This week, we're...
Changing the momo game, listening to kids, starting a new business, and supporting pro waxxers
Rohit Chawla
Photographer, artist, @RohitChawlaPhotography_
Congratulations, it's a goal
Lakeside vows, pastel palettes, bayous, backyards and boats. These celeb weddings are what modern fairytales are made of