Tracey Emin on Motherhood

Tracey does not plan on having children! At least, that’s what I read in the news this week along with Tracey’s outspoken opinions. Tracey believes that women are looked at differently by society if they don’t have children.

I agree with Tracey. If a woman say in her 40s doesn’t have children, many would question this and find it peculiar. People find the notion of women not wanting children as strange. I think a lot of people see having children and having a partner as a success and something we should all strive for, but there is more to life than this. Success and happiness are different for everyone and people shouldn’t feel the pressures from society. Women have achieved so much in the last century and it’s great that they have more freedom to choose what they want to do rather than doing what society expects of them.

That aside though, there seems to be this pressure to pass on one’s own genes. There are thousands of children out there who are in need of a home and family – these kids could be adopted. Still there seems to be a stigma attached to adopting – many people would question why a couple, for example, have chosen to adopt rather than having their own. In short, I think there needs to be more encouragement for adoption to happen. 

To end this piece, I just want to say, don’t feel the pressure to conform to what society expects of you.  If you’re a university student who doesn’t like to party, don’t feel you have to. If all your friends have a car and you don’t, don’t feel you have to get one. If you’re the only one without a gym membership in your office, don’t feel like an outsider. And so on. As long as you’re a good person, live and do what you want to do.