Childfree People Share Double Standards They Are Facing At Work And They Will Really Make You Think

We all make choices in life. Having kids or not having them is most often our choice, although it can sometimes be due to other circumstances.

But whatever the reason may be, your parenthood shouldn't be a burden on others. People who have chosen not to have children know firsthand that it can be hard for some to understand their decision.

This choice has also sometimes put them in positions where managers or coworkers assume that they will be more available to work than others who "have families."

So when Nedra Tawwab tweeted, "I don't know who needs to hear this, but: Being childfree doesn't mean being more available," it really struck a chord with many people, and it is not hard to understand why.

Tawwab, a licensed therapist and the author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself, says that "people without children have become burnt out, especially during the pandemic, as they've been expected to do more. The perception is that when you don't have children, you have more time available and can therefore offer others more support."

We've collected some of the most interesting replies to her post, and some of them are incredibly relatable.

Nedra Tawwab, a licensed therapist and author, tweeted:

@NedraTawwab

Many people in the comments shared anecdotes about supervisors telling them they "don't have a family" and that they should work on holidays and other unfavorable shifts simply because they don't have children. Folks, childless people did not hatch from pods.

1. People who don't have kids don't have families, right? No parents, siblings, cousins...

@ehs06702

2. "Need to be home by 6."

@thecorbinwarner Nedra Tawwab says that "people must advocate for free time and challenge the expectation that they must be more flexible. It seems like a punishment to have more expected of you because you don't have children." "All humans have a specific capacity to operate effectively — demanding more of people when their capacity is full doesn't increase productivity; it decreases it."

3. Pre-kids and post-kids

@wakeupdenverSG

4. No kids - no life. That's their logic...

@lindsayrachaelb

5. Everyone made their choices.

@eljofrva

6. Only people with kids have problems...

Twitter

People have also correctly pointed out that childless individuals may be in school or engaged in other activities that consume a significant amount of time outside of work. The bottom line is that they don't need to explain to anyone how they use their free time. It is theirs.

7. DEI programs should address it

@TrixieFilms

8. Busy living my life

@WessieHale

9. A commitment is a commitment

@FakeUMCDeacon

10. Just make up kids. It works

@2KMockingbird

People who are childless frequently have other responsibilities, such as helping family members or volunteering. Some may genuinely wish to have children but are unable to do so due to circumstances beyond their control.

Our reproductive status is a delicate subject, and supervisors should avoid bringing it up in order to guilt us into working longer hours. Whatever the reason for their child-free status, it is none of your business.

And they shouldn't have to work more because of it.