The choice to conceive. I am not sure what could be more taboo than admitting you don't want children for a cisgendered woman. But when my next guest Dr. Sarah Coxon publicly admitted this on a social media post, it was her most liked and commented post.
In a vulnerable conversation, Sarah and I discuss our personal experiences in making this complex decision, and the societal pressures and expectations that come with it. IF we have a choice and we make the choice not to, it speaks volumes to who we are, our priorities, social expectations and social conditioning.
Sarah and I explore our fears and grief. We discuss concerns about others judging us as selfish or not "feminine" or "motherly" enough. We even consider the possibility that we may not be seen as "beneficial" for society.
Furthermore, we address the lack of support for mothers in today's society and how it has impacted our own journeys. We also express our admiration for being an “auntie” and acknowledge the profound contributions of childless women in society.
My hope is that this conversation will open the door to understanding the nuanced and valid choice that all women face. After speaking with Sarah I was reminded that no matter what you choose to do, everyone's perspective is valid and important. Everyone is coming from a different walk of life and perspective and so we will have different perspectives on this complex topic. There is no right or wrong.
I love how we conclude by recognizing in recent years, there has been a shift among women away from judgement and towards supporting each other's choices. Whatever your truth is around this topic I have noticed the question becomes, how can we support each other in making the decision that is right for us?
I hope by talking about taboo things we can continue to have open and honest conversations about this important topic, and strive to create a world where all women feel empowered to make the decision that is right for them.
Sarah is an author, yoga teacher, trauma-trained somatic teacher, seasoned space-holder & business coach for healers. She lives in Portugal with her husband Mauro, and rescue pup Manny. She loves 80s music but disapproves of pineapple on pizza.
You can connect with her via https://www.instagram.com/drsarahcoxon/
Her book The Way of the Priestess: https://a.co/d/0hnNa1v
Website: https://www.drsarahcoxon.com/
