Women without children — especially those who choose this path — still face stigma, bias, and even risk. Not because of who we are, but because of how others feel about the choices we’ve made.

Being child-free doesn’t make us less ambitious, less responsible, or less fulfilled — it just means we’ve chosen a different version of a good life.

We asked and you answered: What is one thing you wish more people understood about being child-free?

The phrase “work–life balance” often conjures images of harried parents juggling school drop-offs, Zoom (or in my world, Teams) calls, and commutes as workers return to the office. But what happens when “life” doesn’t include children or a partner?

Ever feel like you're letting your mom down by choosing not to have children—even if she’s never said it aloud? If so, M/other, a short documentary by Iris Zaki, is for you.

Seth Rogen is a man who is open about his and his wife, Lauren Miller’s, desire not to have children. And that is what makes me love him even more.

Michal Leibowitz’s article in the New York Times is an insightful, genuine, and thought-provoking piece that will give you something else to ponder when deciding whether to embrace being child-free.

Forming a family and having children is often portrayed as a key part of a fulfilling life. Many hold this to be true. But what happens when this dream doesn't come true? A study explores how films portray involuntary childlessness and how these portrayals contribute to the stigma of those without children.

Employers need to review their workplace benefit programs, including health insurance coverage, with a critical eye to evaluate whether these programs are fair to their child-free employees. 

In "Women Without Kids: The Revolutionary Rise of an Unsung Sisterhood," Ruby Warrington explores her decision to be child-free, boldly tackling stereotypes that plague the child-free, explaining how these prejudices originated and why they are misguided. 

For decades, employers have worked to create a work culture that is friendly to their employees with children. And why wouldn’t they?

In the article, work-life balance referred to “the way in which individuals combine paid work and commitments outside of work”. Work-life arrangements included access to paid leaves and the ability to request flexible or remote working. 

I wasn’t always comfortable with the idea of travelling by myself. If I couldn’t find a friend to travel with, I didn’t go. Then I happened across a book …

Scott’s article does a fantastic job of questioning the pressures that child-free women may place on themselves to explain – or justify – their life choices to others.

Musk agreed that the right to vote should be restricted to only parents. He had previously commented that “the childless have little stake in the future.” 

How do perceptions of women who are both child-free and in leadership positions intersect in the workplace?

Reflecting on the theme of International Women’s Day 2025, #AccelerateAction, I keep returning to the thought that we hold ourselves back too often.

I am deeply dissatisfied with the idea that my life's “long-lasting impact” could be based on anything other than my actions and their outcomes. I’m sure many parents feel the same way. 

Why should the very personal decision of whether or not to have children elicit any kind of a response in another individual?

What the hell does a woman have to do to exemplify the behaviour we want young people to strive to achieve?