Childfree in different cultures/parts of the world

[KimberleyClark]

I would be very interested to hear from people of different cultural backgrounds and parts of the world what being childfree is like for them. I know that some cultures are very pronatalist and women without children have little if any status.

SE Asia: My closest cousin is 39, and unmarried without kids.
Tbh, because of where the family lives she'd probably get judged more if she was unmarried and had a child, but I know acquaintances do wonder if she's ever going to 'settle down' and have a family. She has an extremely high-flying career, and is in the process of building her own house, so I think that stops anyone from actually commenting on it to her parents, etc. And with the younger generations it's becoming more of the norm, plus culturally people dislike being confrontational or (openly) nosy so she hasn't felt pressure. I've actually asked her about this, I was curious to see her viewpoint as I didn't grow up in the same environment.

P. S. We know others who have gotten married and had children, then had to get divorced... and unfortunately the mother was not in a strong financial position, due to a lot of women still taking lower paid jobs or being the SAHM, so I think that's another aspect of why my cousin doesn't feel judged a lot: people are more like "yeah, you don't want to end up in that position".

Thread running here on this OP 😊

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/childfree-mumsnetters/4823795-what-is-your-backgroundculture-and-your-families-reaction-to-being-child-free

Thanks Ihad forgotten that one!