I’m in My 40s, Child-Free and Happy. Why Won’t Anyone Believe Me?

The New York Times ^ | 07/05/18 | Glynnis MacNicol

[DoodleDawg]

I noticed that the “well-known older male writer” apparently was there alone, since no mention is made of a spouse it’s likely he isn’t married. What’s good for the gander should also be good for the goose, should it not?

[DIRTYSECRET]

I’m better off being single. Women were put on this earth to have kids. A small consolation: hopefully she’s somebody’s crazy aunt.

[A_perfect_lady]

but they’ll eventually regret it if they finally grow up to be an adult and realize that our children are the only real legacy we leave behind.

Why do we need to leave a "legacy"?

[Mears]

“Aging is miserable without the joy of children and grandchildren.”

---

And what about those whose children and grandchildren live thousands of miles away?

They often depend on friends,and it works just fine for them.

.

[Lizavetta]

Put me down as not believing a word of this.

“Glynnis MacNicol, you have a terrible life! .... You’re all alone in the world, and have no one to help you .... Do you know how terrible this woman’s life is? She’s all by herself! .... I want to help you.”

That, and if he really did say these things, it comes across as sarcasm.

[outofsalt]

Glynnis MacNicol is the former Media Editor at Business Insider. She was formerly a founding editor of Mediaite.com, the media news, opinion, and rankings site launched by former MSNBC anchor/GM Dan Abrams in July 2009

[TexasM1A]

maybe no one cares?.

[Mears]

“Women were put on this earth to have kids. “
\
—

We were?

What should be done to us when we are past our shelf life?

.

[discostu]

I think she needs new friends. Anybody that insists you must be miserable is actually miserable themselves and doesn’t want the people around them to be happier than them.

[Autonomous User]

I noticed that the “well-known older male writer” apparently was there alone, since no mention is made of a spouse it’s likely he isn’t married.

Back in my day, I believe "those" guys were called "Confirmed bachelors. In polite company anyway!!

[VaeVictis]

The lady doth protest too much, methinks.

[Boomer]

My house in California, the house in Montana and the savings are all going to dog rescues the specialize in American Bulldogs and/or pitties. That an a hundred large or so for the Macaw.

Good for you! I'm doing something similar. No kids, one nephew who won't need anything from me, so why not let the animals benefit.

I occasionally wondered if I should have had kids then after .0003 seconds the feeling passes and I forget about it again for another ten years.

[Antoninus]

And what about those whose children and grandchildren live thousands of miles away?

What about them? They are also quite sad, normally. And when they're in failing health, their kids aren't able to be there for them. For too many people, family is simply not a priority for them until it's too late.

They often depend on friends,and it works just fine for them.

That has not been my observation. Friends are able to walk away very easily when an elderly person really needs help. And often times, the friends themselves are too elderly to assist.

[Constitution Day]

“But I’m fine,” I protested lightheartedly, hoping to return the discussion to writing. “I’m quite enjoying myself.”

AND THEN THE TABLECLOTH CLAPPED

[Mears]

“For too many people, family is simply not a priority for them until it’s too late.”

—

Many of these kids went across the country when they were in their 20s,their parents in their 40s-———old age was not a concern to any of them.

It often has nothing to do with priorities,it has to do with jobs.

[Trillian]

How much do you think she makes writing short articles like this?

[Mears]

I haven’t a clue.

.

[Zathras]

I have five close women friends who never wanted to have kids.
48, 52, 60, 64, 66
All are very successful and it didn’t take a man to make them successful.
Two are 9-hot, 5-crazy.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Because unlike you they don’t believe you are the center of the universe?

[Truthsearcher]

Because people who are happy are too busy being happy to write essays trying to convince everyone (and probably themselves) how happy they are.