From TCNEWS
To help reduce the higher levels of psychological distress, anxiety, and depression in the already stressful world, the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Abia State chapter, Comrade Chidi Asonye, has passionately called for support from family, friends, and society to married couples who are voluntarily and involuntarily childless.
Comrade Asonye who interacted with our correspondent in Umuahia during the Year 2024 International Childfree day celebration, observed that although stigmatization of couples without a child has almost gone in this modern world but pockets of them still exist in most of the rural communities.
International Childfree Day is observed on August 1 every year as a day to understand and support couples who have decided not to have children. It was started in 1973 by the National Alliance for Optional Parenthood. The organization was founded in 1972 in California to propagate and normalize the notion that people can choose not to have children. Celebration of the day was revived in 2013 by Laura Carroll since couples all over the world still face criticism, rejection, and occasionally, rage from other people when they decide to remain childfree.
Comrade Asonye pointed out that there are many reproductive and excruciating challenges faced by individuals and couples struggling with childlessness that would deter them from having biological children, hence childlessness should not be seen as a taboo.
He observed that the idea of children continuing family values has remained as old as mankind, as one of the traits that helped humans become the superior species on this planet; and also the society has increased in size and strength through this bond, and family values have also become an important aspect of every person’s life.
His words, “It is true that children are an inheritance of the Lord. Also there is no comparison between couples who are barren or the couple that chose not have any baby, at all. Nobody knows the difference because childlessness is not written on the face. In our present society, If those who chose not to have kids can get help from other kids, It is same with the other.
” Generally, there is that joy of knowing you have your own but you have as an alternative adopted kids to fill the gap. And it has been made easy for those who chose, out of their own acceptance, or through health reasons do not have children through the adoption laws, so I don’t see much on any one having much issues in the society, in modern day communities”.
Comrade Asonye who also cited instances of childlessness which was not a result of infertility or medical conditions, seized the opportunity to make a case for individual’s who were desirous and passionate about building their own families but no spouse came, time elapsed, singleness ushered in.