While not everyone in the childless or childfree communities will identify the same way, understanding the difference means we can respond more thoughtfully when learning about someone's parental status.
Amelia Carey, pictured with husband Preston, is childless not by choice after trying to have a baby for several years.The 58-year-old founder of World Childless Week says there are several alternatives to describe her circumstance, but childless most accurately captures hers.
"I am proud that I made that decision, and I love my life. Same as how many women will introduce themselves as having three kids," the 53-year-old from Brisbane/Meanjin says. "The majority of people who have used this opportunity to raise awareness and evoke a reaction are the childfree."Perhaps the most important difference between the two, she says, is choice.
Support, judgement, concerns about the environment and mental health, a love of pets, and thoughts about loneliness — readers had a lot to say about the childfree life.For Stephanie, embracing the childless label has helped her find support.But she says no-one should feel pressured to identify a certain way.
She says curiosity and asking permission to dive deeper, rather than shutting the conversation down with quips about how hard parenting is, can go a long way."Sometimes people say, 'Do you mind me asking why?' I don't think it's what you say, it's how you say it."
Childless Childless Not By Choice Infertility Ivf Childlessness
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Child murderer sentenced for approaching woman and child on Bulli BeachA convicted child murderer has been granted parole for approaching a woman and her child at a NSW beach, but will remain in custody on a separate order to be heard in the Supreme Court.
Read more »
Global Child Crisis: War Leaves Millions VulnerableUNICEF warns that the number of children living in conflict zones has doubled since the 1990s, reaching nearly 19% of the world's children. The UN reports record numbers of grave violations against children in conflict, with 2024 being one of the worst years on record.
Read more »
Colombia's Peace Prize Valley: A New Generation of Child SoldiersA valley in Colombia, once celebrated for its peace accord, is now witnessing a resurgence of violence and the recruitment of children into armed groups.
Read more »
Queensland Boy Becomes First Child to Undergo Robotic-Assisted SurgeryAn eight-year-old boy from Charters Towers has made history as the first child in Queensland to receive robotic-assisted surgery. Kruze Bott underwent a procedure to address two ureteropelvic junction obstructions, which were causing urine to flow improperly. The groundbreaking surgery, performed by Dr. Janani Krishnan at Mater Private Hospital, offers a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open surgery, leading to a faster recovery and smaller scar.
Read more »
War Photographer Captures Tender Moments of Dying Child in UkraineLynsey Addario's haunting photographs document the final days of six-year-old Sonya Kryvolapchuk, who died from retinoblastoma in a hospice in Chernivtsi, Ukraine. The war disrupted Sonya's treatment, forcing her family to flee to Poland as refugees. Addario's images capture the heartbreaking reality of war's impact on innocent lives.
Read more »
Australia to Consider Urgent Reforms After High Court Child Abuse RulingAustralia's attorneys-general will meet to discuss legislative changes following a controversial High Court decision that stated a Catholic diocese isn't liable for the sexual abuse of a five-year-old boy by a priest. The ruling, which overturned thousands of legal cases against religious orders, sparked calls for urgent action by survivors and their lawyers.
Read more »