Her no holds barred book entitled ‘No Kids: 40 Reasons Not To Have Children’ sparked fury in France when it was published nearly ten years ago.
But now author Corrine Maier has once again attacked the idealised notion of parenthood.
The mother of two has detailed her criticism of ‘baby-mania’ that is ‘plaguing modern society’ in a viewpoint article in the BBC Magazine called ‘Changing the world is more important than changing nappies.”
Corrine believes that adults are so obsessed with children – and so exhausted by the effort of looking after them – that they have no energy left for anything else.
(Image of Corrine with her children via BBC Magazine)
“These days, it’s impossible to express one’s experience of motherhood other than to say: “I am a blissful mother (or father), my children are my joy.” Taking pleasure in parenthood is compulsory. In my experience, the reality is very different: raising a child is 1% happiness and 99% worry. Being a parent has become a very time-consuming job. Many parents become overly involved in the education of their children, and turn into hyper-parents present on every front – ensuring a balanced breakfast, extracurricular activities, help with homework”
She questions why society is so obsessed with the perfect family ideal. Corrine believes it mostly leaves us feeling guilty and with a sense of massive underachievement:
“Raising children not only left me exhausted but it left me bankrupt as well. Soon, my daughter will have finished her studies. I will have a big party that day. Finally, I won’t have to support her: what a relief! And what a saving!”
The French author has come under attack for her outspoken views but she says she is just keeping it real:
“Having two children, I cannot tell others: “Don’t do as I did.” Yet I also find it hypocritical to hide behind the smokescreen of idealism (“There’s nothing more beautiful than a child’s smile”) to justify my questionable life choices. I am a fierce opponent of brainwashing and of pathos. It’s time to stop marketing the babies-spell-happiness idea. Enough of this big “baby-illusion”!”
Do you think some people regret having children? Do you think there is anything in her summation that rings true for you? We would love to hear your comments!
