While some women say they're born with a maternal instinct, others don't feel the urge to procreate—and Cameron Diaz is one of them, according to a recent interview she did with Esquire magazine for its latest issue.
While Cameron says she definitely respects all of the moms out there, she also knew early on that she wouldn't be following in their footsteps. "It's so much more work to have children," she told the magazine. "To have lives besides your own that you are responsible for—I didn't take that on. That did make things easier for me. A baby—that's all day, every day for 18 years. Not having a baby might really make things easier, but that doesn't make it an easy decision. I like protecting people, but I was never drawn to being a mother. I have it much easier than any of them. That's just what it is. Doesn't mean life isn't sometimes hard. I'm just what I am. I work on what I am. Right now, I think, things are good for me. I've done a lot. And I don't care anymore."
Regardless of whether or not you agree with her point of view, Cameron's openness on the touchy topic is certainly admirable. So we reached out to Women's Health's Facebook followers to see how they felt on the subject. Here are some of the more compelling responses:
"I made the decision when I was about 15 never to have kids, mainly due to my childhood. I am now 38, still have no children, and probably never will. I love kids like crazy and love my friends' kids like they are my own…I do sometimes wonder if I am missing out, but I will stick to my decision. I am happy most of the time, and for now, it's the right decision for me." —Michelle Garrett
"I have children, and I fully support those who choose not to. It is not a decision to make lightly. For every wonderful reason to have a child, there are an equal number not to." —Tetan Lodahl Brannen
"I've wanted kids since ever I can remember and thought by 25 I'd be married with kids. Everyone knows how much I love kids. Now I'm 22, and I'd be perfectly fine without kids in my future. I may want to spend my life helping people in general, while trying to maintain my own happiness and sanity. I can still help many kids out there without having one." —Victoria Marchenko
"I decided when I was in my early 20s that having children was not something I wanted to do. A child would not fit into my day-to-day life. I feel that if you have the desire to have children, then you most definitely should have them; however, do not have children because it is what society expects of you. It's been almost 10 years since I decided not to have children, and I haven't looked back. My life is very full, I have a great job, a wonderful relationship with my husband, and I try to live life to the fullest every single day. Now it would just be nice if the medical community would take a leap forward into this century and quit stigmatizing women who don't want kids and stop giving them the 'You'll change your mind' line. No, I won't. I'd like a tubal now, please!" —Amber Weaver
"I thought I wanted kids, but seeing my friends with their kids, I decided that it is not for me. And I am glad I had the time to decide for myself and not do something because society tells you have to do it. We grow up believing we have to get married and have kids, and this kind of life is not great for everyone…My husband doesn't want kids, either. And we have a great family life." —Luciana de Simone
"I believe it's something you know. I knew at a young age I wanted children. The only thing that changed was how many. Originally I wanted four, but I decided to stop at three." —Melinda Sweet
"I think this is bullying. Women have the right to say no, and no one should judge them." —Jo Ortega
"I'm 24. I grew up conflicted with the idea of having children because I'm not patient, and I always thought that having a child would stop me from growing professionally. So when I found out I was pregnant the week after my college graduation, I was in complete shock. But after hearing my baby's heartbeat, all of my fear and doubts went away. I completely fell in love with my baby. It has made me believe I can be a great mom and also keep my career goals." —Stephanie Lopez
"When I was younger, I thought I would never want kids in my entire life. But meeting somebody you share your life with kind of makes you want them to a degree. We're not ready yet, but we have names picked out. I still think tiny human people are sticky and gross, but I'm warming up to it." —Leighton Meyers
More From Women's Health:
Virgins Until Marriage: How Women Who Waited Feel About Their Choice
Nicole Scherzinger Opens Up About Her Struggle with Bulimia
What Maternity Leave in the U.S. REALLY Looks Like
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