The Women Who Regret Having Kids with Orna Donath

Women Without Kids

Sociologist Orna Donath, author of the book Regretting Motherhood, on the roots and the impact on women of society's greatest taboo. In the episode we discuss:

-Why the subject of “regretting motherhood” is so taboo – and why it is so hard for women to express their regret about having kids

-The “feeling rules” about motherhood, which only permit us to feel a certain way about it

-Why loving one’s children and loving being a mom are not the same thing

-Why there is no country or society where femininity is not synonymous with motherhood

-The importance of acknowledging the diversity among women and all female identifying individuals when it comes to our gifts, our limitations, and our desires for our lives

-Why maternal regret is often hidden by complaints about the material difficulties of the role

-The damage done to children when women are pushed into motherhood against their will

-Why being honest about how things really are – no matter how painful – creates a culture of trust and helps people feel more secure

-Why telling women they will regret not having kids is a “political use of emotion”

-Insights from Orna’s new study, which looks at the lives of older women without kids

-Why people – especially women - who chose to live alone are also subject to stigma concerning their life choices

Get your copy of Regretting Motherhood by Orna Donath HERE.

You can also pre-order your copy of Women Without Kids: The Revolutionary Rise of an Unsung Sisterhood HERE.