‘The greatest achievement in the world is to have children’
‘Being a mother is the greatest joy in the world.’
Words like these are what a large population of married couples and women often hear from people around them. Having a child after marriage seems to be the most sensible and logical step to take. Those who don’t fall into the category of being childless, voluntarily or involuntarily, are looked at with weary eyes and on some occasions, put down because of the same. However, Being childless isn’t as taboo as before, as many couples opt to be childless and are happy about the decision. Some of the reasons why some individuals might voluntarily choose not to have children are:
Children are expensive. It takes a significant amount of money out of the pocket to raise a child. Expenses like education and doctor’s fees when the child is sick can lead to parents being stressed out about the finances.
For a couple where both partners are working, having a child would mean having to invest time and energy, which might, in the long run, have an adverse effect on their mental health.
Taking care of a child might affect the physical and mental health of the parents. The mothers, when having a child and even after that, experience health issues. Moreover, parents are subject to battling small stressors daily, whether the child is sick or just meeting the expectations of being an ideal parent.
Some ways a childless couple can stay happy are:
Focus on your career.
Focusing on your relationship with your partner.
Raising a pet. Pets are somewhat equivalent to children and require love and care. And they always greet you at the door!
Taking vacations and exploring places. Not having children means having additional income that you can use as an opportunity to travel.
Importance of Professional Counseling: A friend or family member may listen to you, but they aren’t professionally, technically qualified or experienced to offer you professional advice. If you wish you can contact us at MindTribe to receive help from our team of expert psychologists.
About MindTribe.in.
MindTribe Founder Dr. Prerna Kohli, India’s eminent psychologist, established the company to leverage the strength of the online to make counseling affordable and accessible to everyone. MindTribe provides counseling, workshops, support groups, forums, and eLearning.
About the Author.
Ishita Moudgill is a psychologist at MindTribe.in. You can learn more about her by clicking here
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MindTribe.in, the Founders, or management team.
Acknowledgement: All images used are open source and from Unsplash.