I would love it if Jennifer Aniston became a self-elected, high-profile ambassador for women without children.
She refuses to stop talking about it, which makes me think she is pondering the role. After proclaiming in November that she refuses to “be whittled down to a sad, childless human”, she has now said:
“We, as women, do a lot of incredible things in this world other than just procreate …. (but) we just get boxed in!”
“We’re seeing women through that very narrow lens: if we don’t have a baby or a white picket fence or a husband, then we’re useless. We aren’t living up to our purpose.”
“It’s shocking to me that we are not changing the conversation.”
Yes! to that last one.
I just hope that she doesn’t do a Janet Jackson at 50. If Aniston – with her wealth, fame, hair, amazing lifestyle and access to the Theroux men – starts to think that she needs a baby to round it all off, what hope is there for us mere mortals?
Whatever you think of Aniston (I love her: she was extraordinary in Cake), her statements are important and it takes huge nuts to make them. It’s still vaguely embarrassing, in our ultra child-centric society, to talk about being childless in your forties.
The massive gated community of mummy/mama/daddy/papa/+variation sites and the powerful parenting-blog behemoths that they orbit can often make me feel like an insignificant outsider in Internet land.
Am I the only one who feels a little bit championed every time JA says something?
See more posts at Stirrup Queens Microblog Mondays
Yep, she was brilliant in Cake. And if she’s willing to take on the role as caller-outer on the incessant women-only-worthy-as-wombkeepers bullshit then fair fucks to her. I imagine it’s an almighty pain in the arse. Along with taking my hat off to her incredulity, I love the fact she does it without relying on the wagging fingers at how children & nuclear family life continue to be fetishised.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how she’s very matter-of-fact, no spite or resentment; she’s just straight-up WTF? about it.
LikeLike
Yes, thank you! We’re not just reduced to either being Mums or “childless”. Although I guess society is geared that way. When budget night rolls around it’s always tax cuts for families and single parents with kids.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So true! I definitely don’t feel overly valued by society…
LikeLike
I too have such high praise for Jennifer Aniston. Truly a role model! Here’s hoping she doesn’t pull a Janet Jackson (because really, how is that situation good for anyone?).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d be gutted
LikeLike
She was someone I never paid a lot of attention to when she was on Friends, but in the years after — hells yeah. I always sit up and listen when she speaks. She is a fantastic role model who keeps driving home the same message. Hopefully one day the general public will hear it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw her talking on this subject on Ellen the other day. I think she is great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love her. I loved her Huffington Post piece, and I loved her interview with Ellen. I love her message. I hope she does what makes her happy, but it would great if she didn’t become that “miracle” pregnancy at 50 we all know isn’t a miracle per se. I also like Cameron Diaz for talking about not having children and not having it be sad. I don’t know why Jennifer Aniston’s uterus is such fair game for discussion and Cameron’s isn’t, but there it is. Love them both (but Jen a little more…). And yes, yes to her Cake performance. Man did that one get me. She’s brilliant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s true that our society is ultra focussed on the Mum and Wife roles that women play. It’s not fair to just women by that standard. A thought provoking post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course, you are not alone in feeling that way. I saw that on Facebook the other day and I felt like hitting that share button immediately, but then here in Asia, most especially in my country, that’s just not really easy. And now is just not the right time, Christmas season, ugh! I wish I have lots of money to have a whole month vacation in an isolated island with my husband!
Happy Holidays Ms Different Shores (I’m sorry I wish I know your first name) 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Claire, I left you a comment on your blog a few days ago with my name! It was a very late reply to something you wrote in November. Hugs 🙂
LikeLike
Oh no! I think I missed it, I’ll go check, thank you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m still in my early 30s, but living in a country like my own which is highly matriarcal, can be tough, because everyone expects you to marry and have kids. Hey, never say never, but for a series of reasons I don’t think I’ll ever have a family, but that’s ok!! I don’t need pitiful glances and I don’t feel like an egoist for not procreating. I look after my grandparents, parents and I can volunteer…there are so many “altruistic” things we can do in this world! We are not all meant to do the same things in this life, wtf, we should respect people’s choices concerning their private lives and not judge them.
What Jen did was great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I imagine Italy can be like Ireland in that respect – they worship the “little ones”…
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘Access to the Theroux men’ and their lovely forearms.
always loved JenAn – always will.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha I was referring to their brainy brains and acting skills of course
LikeLiked by 1 person
Naturally
LikeLike
I ❤ Jennifer Anniston. I love her message and I love that she is speaking it. And I wish that people would leave her (and her uterus) the hell alone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think she’s doing a great job in all the speaking out she’s doing; whether that’s a role that she chose or put upon her I don’t know, but she’s doing a great job regardless. It’s interesting to see someone who has all the key things the media loves (attractive husband, much beauty) and is just ‘missing’ that children piece, and watch how the media just can’t deal with that at all. Very interesting indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am loving the way she is speaking out, in such a down to earth, sensible, honest way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ditto everything you said!! xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s a saint for taking so much crap for so long. And I love how she has been speaking out on this subject, clearly & firmly. While I wouldn’t deny her a baby, if that’s what she wants, I have to admit I too secretly hope she never pulls a “Janet Jackson.” 😉 We all need our heroes, don’t we?? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely
LikeLike
I am a bit late to this conversation… had to catch up on that interview on Ellen, too!
Love what she said in such a natural and honest way.
However, I must admit I am not sure about the “Janet Jackson” thing. It might still happen… but in the meantime, I am glad she talks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not sure either Elaine… time will tell! Let’s hope she holds out
LikeLike
I have such a soft spot for her. When she said “I don’t think it’s fair. You may not have a child come out of your vagina, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t mothering—dogs, friends, friends’ children” in Allure magazine, a local radio station began discussing it and they made fun of her, saying she didn’t know anything about being a mother. I remember driving to work getting all hot in the face with frustration and anger listening to it. I’m happy she’s willing to keep speaking out despite backlash.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh god I would have been raging if I had heard that! I hate that one-upmanship, that “club” that some parents have going on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed.
LikeLike
Hearing that would make me flush in the face as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I keep praying for Jennifer Aniston. I have a feeling she’s on this sojourn, too. I remember the excellent editorial she wrote in July. I was praying the remainder of 2016 would be her year. Maybe 2017 will bring good news to all of us on this sojourn. Don’t give up. Be encouraged.
LikeLike