Out and About STYLE Magazine

I recently heard a friend say, “People tell me ‘You are
not Janet Jackson nor Halle Berry.’ Hearing this made
me numb and as if my chances were really short and I
should’ve started years ago.”
As if there isn’t enough pressure questioning or
suggesting about:
• Getting into a relationship
• Adoption
• The purpose of womanhood being to reproduce
• Having a fertility check
And so on ...
A woman’s world is not transparent for the outside
society to see and sympathise. And when others view
you through their expectations, it does a lot to shatter
the confidence we have inside.
In this article, let’s explore the realities of societal
pressure and life choices.
• A few may have experienced trauma and are
struggling with its outcomes.
IF WE WERE IN YOUR SHOES ...
Whenever we encounter women in this situation,
take a minute to pause and reflect on how you
would feel if you were in her shoes. Following are a
few questions that you should never ask a childless
women over the age of 40:
1. “Do you like children?”
It sounds like a question from a first date or a
dating app chat mate. Of course, they do like
children! They simply have a personal circumstance
why they don’t have one of their own. And what
if they replied ‘no’? Should they be ridiculed
or humiliated? Don’t they have a choice in this
matter? Just like the rest of us, they do. And it
is time society owns up to respecting people for
their choices.
THE ‘WHY’ - REASONS FOR BEING CHILDLESS
AT THE AGE OF 40:
2. “Has fostering or adopting a child ever crossed
your mind?”
• Some women don’t have partners.
• Some cannot be pregnant due to medical
conditions.
• Many do not want to be pregnant without
getting married.
• Some do not want to have children, period.
Adopting a child is always an option. However,
have you thought that this question can offend
someone who wants to have a biological child?
The difference is just a few words for you, but
could be a drop in honour for the woman.
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