Happily child-free: Why having children isn't for everyone

Though not a choice everyone gets to make, there is a growing number of people in Ireland opting not to have children.

Sarah Fox and her dog Samson

The US Republican nominee for vice-president, JD Vance, made headlines recently for describing senior Democrat politicians, including Kamala Harris, as “childless cat ladies” who don’t have a “direct stake” in their country. Although meant as an insult, the moniker has been embraced by many women who are happily child-free. In response to the comments, the internet was flooded with examples of successful and inspirational women without children, such as Dolly Parton and Helen Mirren.

In the 2022 Census, the number of families in Ireland without children increased to 394,052, up 11% since 2016. The same year, the birth rate dropped to its lowest point in 60 years. Of course, it’s not a choice that everyone gets to make, but an increasing number of people in Ireland are opting not to have children. For women, this can be met with unsolicited comments, questions or criticism. However, thanks to more openness around the topic, there’s a growing awareness and acceptance that having children isn’t for everyone.