Sociologist Orna Donath, author of the book Regretting Motherhood, on the roots and the impact on women of society's greatest taboo. In the episode we discuss:

-Why the subject of “regretting motherhood” is so taboo – and why it is so hard for women to express their regret about having kids

-The “feeling rules” about motherhood, which only permit us to feel a certain way about it

-Why loving one’s children and loving being a mom are not the same thing

-Why there is no country or society where femininity is not synonymous with motherhood 

-The importance of acknowledging the diversity among women and all female identifying individuals when it comes to our gifts, our limitations, and our desires for our lives

-Why maternal regret is often hidden by complaints about the material difficulties of the role

-The damage done to children when women are pushed into motherhood against their will

-Why being honest about how things really are – no matter how painful – creates a culture of trust and helps people feel more secure 

-Why telling women they will regret not having kids is a “political use of emotion”

-Insights from Orna’s new study, which looks at the lives of older women without kids

-Why people – especially women - who chose to live alone are also subject to stigma concerning their life choices

Get your copy of Regretting Motherhood by Orna Donath HERE.

You can also pre-order your copy of Women Without Kids: The Revolutionary Rise of an Unsung Sisterhood HERE.