In less than three months I will be 40. And yet people still find it completely appropriate to ask me when I'll be having kids. Really? That's still your only concern? I mean, it's not enough that I'm happy, healthy, and secure? Well OK then.
(FTR, I'm not mad. I was a bit annoyed by the questioning since A) the conversation wasn't even remotely about anyone having kids and B) we were at a family gathering after interring my uncle's ashes at a mausoleum. It was awkward to the point that it made others in the conversation feel super uncomfortable and people actually got up and left to another room.)
- Hookuh Tinypants
Wow. It's an inappropriate question at any time, but that's extra awkward.
- Katy S
Right? I felt worse for my two 31yr old cousins who also got questioned hard, one of whom has made the deliberate decision to not have children and the other who made the deliberate decision to wait until after she finishes her masters (which she does this coming spring). The one who chose to wait until after her masters was found to be satisfactory, but the one who decided kids were not for her was bombarded with "Well you may change your mind" and "You don't want to regret that decision when you're our age." Ugh. Still with the typical "A woman isn't fulfilled until she has kids!" bullshit. :-/ (on the plus side - both of these cousins are quite blunt and firm with their responses, so they handled it well. :) But still. Nobody should have to explain choices.)
- Hookuh Tinypants
I will never understand how people--even if they are family members--think it's any of their business, when (or if) someone will have children. That, and the attitude that somehow we "owe" them offspring, is just crazy-making.
- vicster.
Agreed. And I think it's even worse when it comes from other women. Women ought to know better but there is still an alarmingly high number of women who believe it's our job to spit out kids and our lives are lacking if we don't. It's actually a bit creepy.
- Hookuh Tinypants