An Article to Read: No. 2

In The Atlantic’s July/August 2013 issue, professor psychology at San Diego State University Jean M. Twenge’s article “How Long Can You wait to Have Baby?” is well worth reading. Whether you have children, long for children, are wondering if you want children or are certain you would prefer to be an aunt, she dispels many popular accepted statistics regarding the fear mongering circulating around a woman’s biological clock.

Drawn from her successful book An Impatient Woman’s Guide to Getting Pregnant which was released last year, she draws on current research, debunks research that interestingly enough is based on findings from the 16th through the 19th century, not contemporary findings, and offers breathing room to women who do indeed want to have a career and a family by helping to assuage the fear, increase one’s knowledge and serve as a reminder that women need not fall prey to unfounded societal beliefs.

As someone who has never desired to be a mother, but would lay down my life for my niece, nephew and students, I admire deeply mothers and fathers who are devoted to raising children who are loved, responsible and full of possibility.  While reading the article, I found myself intrigued and reassured by Twenge’s contribution to eradicate the fallacies that many people toss around lightly about a very ponderous decision in any person’s life.

I’d be curious to know your thoughts after taking the time to read the article.

Image: The Atlantic