Women and children

I WAS horrified that Holly Brockwell has been bullied for not wanting children (Mail).

How astonishing that in the 21st century there are still so many people who believe that if you’re a woman you automatically want children.

I’ve never wanted children: I never played with dolls, though I was given one as a toddler. I well remember pushing a toy pram around with no idea of what it represented — it could have been a wheelbarrow as far as I was concerned.

Now in my 60s, I’ve never regretted not having children, I don’t even like them: I wish I could have had a hysterectomy at the age of 11 when I started periods, as I always had very heavy ones which were difficult to deal with, though I never had mood swings or hormonal issues.

Is it ‘selfish’ not to want children? If anything, the opposite is true. This planet is vastly overpopulated, most of the habitable spaces are densely populated and regions that aren’t are either inhospitable or can’t sustain large populations.

Having children simply to be looked after in your old age seems incredibly selfish (and doesn’t guarantee the desired result anyway).

If it were true that every woman loves children, the NSPCC wouldn’t exist. A woman can choose a life without a family and be completely happy and fulfilled, yet still like other people’s children. Being a woman doesn’t equate with wanting children, it’s as simple as that — it does not make you any less of a woman.

Name and address supplied.