Aditi Panda
Double income couples choose to remain childless by choice or postpone parenthood for various reasons
Young working couples these days remain childless by preference as they have to face different difficulties. There is a constant concern of having to let go of their flourishing careers and heavy pay packages to rear a child.
‘Childless by choice’ is presently the widespread approach of this generation for being apprehensive of accepting the added responsibility of parenthood in the hectic schedule which takes its toll on the working couples.
Ranjana and Arun Mahapatra, who are in there mid thirties feel that they should postpone parenthood and share their views,” Agree that parenthood is bliss but also a huge onus. We want to buy time before planning a baby because we still want to travel and indulge in experiences that we want to cherish together. We also have stayed childless till date because of our erratic timings and understand that bringing up a child will be a difficult job.”
The double income working couples have slogged hard to carve a niche for themselves in the cut throat competition. The choice to take a break in the peak of a surging career becomes more difficult when both spouses earning relatively high incomes.
“People often make their own assumptions about the voluntarily childless. I was forced to stay childless not because I didn’t like kids or because I wanted to spend my money on luxury, but because I was trying to nurture my own boutique which needed 100% attention. Parenting is a full time job which needs a lot of planning and coordination”, shares budding entrepreneur Meera Rout Sharma.
The monthly budget, instalments to be paid and the enhanced quality of life makes it mandatory for both the partners to earn money. “The equation has changed and as a working couple we have to decide to plan a baby by measuring the support system. Both our parents cannot stay with us due to family commitments and we strongly are against leaving the children in a crèche or day care centre “, says Mitali Ghosh who works in a bank and her husband in marketing.
Sarita and Pankaj Gupta say, “We are postponing parenthood without realizing its medical repercussions but then we have no choice. We believe that view that children should not be left with the domestic help and getting a reliable one is next to impossible in the city. Moreover both our mothers are aging and cannot take that responsibility singlehandedly”.
Parenthood has to be planned and involves a lot of responsibility and patience. And therefore, a lot of thought and planning is required on part of the present generation to balance both their careers and parenthood together.
Nice article
Thanku so very much
I have a totally different take on the subject of parenthood. For starters parenthood is overrated. The concept of parenthood has been ingrained into our psyche from generations without any logical or practical basis. No wonder India is the second most populous nation in the world and will overtake China. Ironically a majority of Indians especially children, live in poverty and lead abysmal lives. But then who cares? Everyone in India want to have kids when the resources of the nation are under severe strain. I mean just look at the air we breathe in most cities. What about the poor quality of food and most importantly, water that we get? Instead of nourishing our bodies the air and water only debilitate it. There is constant stress, both in cities as well as in rural towns. As always our political system is in turmoil and will continue to do so. Why would any sane person want his child to live in such an environment with a bleak future, I just don’t understand. Agreed, that these anamolies exist in the developed nations too but then those countries are far better equipped to deal with the situation. Primarily because their population is more manageable than ours. One will be shocked at the difference between the population of Australia and India when in fact ours is a smaller nation. No wonder many Indians want to migrate, out of India. So, in all fairness, it’s a much better option to stay childless and donate to charity where in some really needy child is taken care of. Even if a small percentage of couples decide to do so India will be a much better place to live in. Thanks.
Yeah.this is a new angle to look at this and many would relate to it for sure
I agree to what they say. It will be extremely difficult to handle a child if you’re at the peak of your career. Especially for the women who will become mothers. What ultimately used to happen, is that the woman gives up her job and brings up the child. But this has two major drawbacks. First, the woman has to sacrifice a lot for this when actually the sacrifice should be made from both sides. And secondly, parenting shouldn’t be done by one parent alone. The kid should be spending equal quality time with both the mother and the father. Only then will a proper bond develop between a family.
So let the working couples decide when they are ready for a kid.
Mental preparation is most important before planning a baby
Nice article… it’s a deffinitely a choice to have a baby or not and if u have a baby u should take full responsibility with 100%commitment….and in this changing socio econo ic scenerio…bachhe sambhalna toh bachhon ka khel nehin hain?
From Nivedita Acharya.
, bhubaneswar on whatsup
Hey very nice article !! Remember when we used to discuss on this in our chit chat sessions and you always had something up to speak … great going! Ankita. Would have been so proud of you dear!
From Sonia Mishra,bhubaneswar on whatsup
Each to his own…with the nuclear family setup, both the partners working,it is very natural for the couple to rethink about bringing a new member into the family..n taking on parenthood.
I think in the near future,there will be more of “DINK” couples in India.
absolutely right.