#15 - Yes It's Normal to Not Want Kids

Update: 2022-08-02

Description

Why is not wanting to have kids such a big deal to some people? Isn't it totally normal for some people to not want them?

Yes, it is normal to not want children. And since the first 14 episodes (or season 1) focused on the creative part of the childfree Latine experience, for these next 12 episodes (season 2) we're going to discuss the childfree part of the creative Latine experience. This is about representation. Childfree Latines are minorities within minorities. It’s not very accepted to be childfree in Latinoamerican cultures, and we’d really like to change that.

Because yes, it is normal to not want children. And not wanting children does not equate to hating children.

Let's normalize this idea and shift how childfree characters are portrayed in popular media. Do away with the stereotypes perpetuated by the likes of Cruella de Vil, Ursula, and Scar the Lion from Disney movies, which portray childfree characters as jealous, sadistic, and sinister. That's the idea we're feeding to actual children! Forget that Disney movies already have problematic themes. This is another level of yikes!

This season will feature the voices of a host of mujeres fuertes, artists and storytellers painting portraits with stories of their own real world experiences. And how being childfree has afforded them the ability to craft their lives on their own terms. They've created life in different ways, nurturing and mothering people in diverse but no less impactful relationships than what we commonly refer to as "parents." After all, "its takes a village," doesn't it?

This episode highlights the story of me, Paulette Erato, a childfree Latina woman. And poses the questions: is it actually a choice to be childfree? What if I was just born this way?

Plus, what's the distinction between childless and childfree?

After this episode, the hope is you will better understand that:

Not wanting kids isn’t weird or abnormal, it’s just different
Childfree people aren’t the bitter, selfish, or even dangerous people the media makes them out to be, and that these stereotypes do more harm than good
That being childfree is a measure of self-awareness, a boundary and limit we’re not willing to cross to please other people—and that is the peak of adulting

DM me on Instagram if you have questions about this week's episode. And if you would like to apply to be on the podcast, fill out this form.

For the full show notes and episode transcript, go to TheMakerMuse.co.

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Like what you hear? Reach out to send your thoughts, and don't forget to grab a limited edition LVMC baseball t-shirt. Check it out at pauletteerato.com/shop.

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