It was not that long ago that we were expected to get married, have children, raise a family and make the most of what would probably be a loveless and boring marriage. Now we have far more choice, options that would have been frowned on and in some ways impossible then.
Women are now more interested in having a career and considered to be equals in the work place. Men and women are not in such a rush to get married and settle down, and some prefer the idea of remaining single. Others have given it a great deal of thought and after a lot of soul searching decided that the best way forward for them is to be single. Some of these wish to have children others decide to be single and have no children. They prefer the idea of working and forging a career for themselves to marrying, having children and relying on a man to be the breadwinner while they are stuck at home bring up the children.
To be single with no children is now acceptable and common. Anyone who has no children now and is of child bearing age will have friends and neighbors they know in a similar situation to them. They are not odd, looked down upon or judged. Of course there are advantages and disadvantages, are there are to all walks of life.
People who choose to be single and have no children are not necessary bad parent material. Some would have made fantastic parents. But they choose to be single and have no children because they do not want the responsibility, expense or loss of freedom that comes with being a parent. If they are determined to remain single they have probably realized that being a single parent would have been very difficult, both emotionally and financially. Things like having to go to work and look after the children too would be another huge problem.
Some single people have seen divorces and unhappy marriages and been put off of marriage by this, others simply like the freedom and independence that comes with the lifestyle. By not having children they have total freedom with their finances and their time. They are willing to give up the patter of tiny feet, the baby crying at night, changing nappies, helping with homework, listening to their problems, in return for more financial stability, peace of mind and being an individual.
Nobody has the right to say that someone should be married, single, with or without children. It is something we must all decide for ourselves. We do have a responsibility to choose which path is best for us.