filed in Myths and stereotypes
The New Normal
From an essay by Jennifer Aniston on July 12, 2016
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14 comments for “The New Normal”
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Well said! Also, what she said on motherhood a few years ago- something along the lines that “we don’t need to bear a child to experience motherhood-we are mothering dogs, friends’ children, people in our lives etc.” – stuck to my mind.
I hadn’t heard that, but I love it. I mother my sweet dog every day!
Indian tennis star Sania Mirza dealt with the same question raised by a reporter, in a classy way at the release of her autobiography today. http://www.firstpost.com/india/rajdeep-sardesai-learnt-a-humble-lesson-on-sexism-in-his-interview-with-sania-mirza-2893806.html
Kavitha, thank you for that link. I have to give credit to the journalist for recognizing his sexism and apologizing for it, though.
Definitely.
It’s so universal. I’m comforted by her response.
Thank you, Jennifer Anniston, for publicly addressing this. The attention paid to the marital or childbearing status of female celebrities is ridiculous–no one ever questions a man’s desire to remain single and/or child-free. Not scrutinized at all.
Interesting that a few days earlier, the NYTimes published a piece on the NotMom Summit. I actually find being child-free to be the bigger social taboo (compared to being single), at least where I live (Indiana). I’m supposed to be sad at not having children (guess what–I’m child-free by choice!) or I’m supposed to adore children because I have a vagina, even if it’s never been used in birthing process (guess what–I like some kids, but not all of them).
Submitted comment before I was finished! Anyway, I do have female friends with children and they have NEVER made me feel like I was second-class or less important because I didn’t have kids. Can’t say that about people I’ve met casually, though! And I really, REALLY dislike that the first question asked when I meet someone (say at a party or a wedding or something) is “do you have any kids?”
Petra – I’m not sure if you were around this post – “Marriage interrogation at the nail salon.” http://bit.ly/29H5QoU
Has anyone ever asked George Clooney these kinds of questions?
No, nobody asked George Clooney these questions. His bachelor status only added to his appeal.
Grrrrr……..
When I saw a friend of a friend sometime in the past year, for the first time in years, the first question she asked me was if I have any children, YET. I don’t remember my exact response but the look on her face meant she got that that was a poor question! Also a friend’s 5 yr old asked me last weekend “who’s mom are you?”. Since he was 5 instead of a rant I just told him my pets “Biscuit and Kitty”. My BFF daughter when she was 4 or 5 asked me something along the lines of when I’m getting my married, like she just couldnt comprehend someone who looked and sounded like her mom not being married or having kids. She’s now 10 and more recently said something like “I’ve decided I’m not getting married”. I’m so proud lol!!
I have a godson (his parents are among my closest friends) and even as a young kid, I made sure to let him know that not everyone gets married. I see progress even if it’s not always apparent.