Childlessness
Why do some people risk social stigma by deciding not to have children?
With increasing numbers of Westerners opting to have smaller families, some go one step further and decide to have no children at all. As a result they often face suspicion, abuse even, for being selfish or materialistic. Women, in particular, who decide to go childless, experience the full force of this near-universal stigma. Mary-Ann Ochota speaks to people who’ve made this often lonely decision.
Presenter: Mary-Ann Ochota
Producer: Rose de Larrabeiti
(Photo: Empty old swings, Credit: Chailuk Chalathai/Shutterstock)
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Clips
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Childless in India: 'Either you're nuts or you're selfish'
Duration: 03:00
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Childless in Nigeria: 'People call you a witch'
Duration: 01:50
Broadcasts
- Mon 10 Jul 2017 12:32GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except News Internet
- Mon 10 Jul 2017 21:06GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except News Internet
- Tue 11 Jul 2017 01:32GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except News Internet
- Mon 17 Jul 2017 05:32GMTΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service South Asia
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