The stereotypes about childfree people that defined the early 2000s don’t make sense anymore. They don’t match the world we live in or the lives people are actually building. What’s taking their place is a more honest conversation about autonomy, values, finances, boundaries, and what adulthood can look like when you choose it for yourself.

The choice to get a dog instead of having children is one that’s increasingly gaining traction, especially among the younger generations. It’s a practical, financial, and emotional decision for many people who want the perks of parenthood but without the financial drain and heavy responsibility of raising a human.

A baby at an Arj Barker comedy show sparked outrage, but the real issue isn’t breastfeeding or parent-shaming. It’s the growing discomfort with adult-only spaces. Here’s why babies don’t belong at comedy shows, why boundaries matter, and why protecting adult environments isn’t exclusion, it’s respect for shared experiences.

Millennials are Prioritizing Pet-Friendly Homes.

Blackstone highlights that there is no single "right" path to fulfillment and happiness, and parenthood is not a universal aspiration.

Iris Apfel spent more than a century proving that individuality, curiosity, and creativity can be the foundation of a deeply fulfilling life. She and her husband Carl chose not to have children, and that choice shaped a world of travel, business, art, and boundless freedom. Her story is a reminder that there are many ways to build a meaningful life. Parenthood is one path, but not the only one. Iris showed us how beautiful it can be to choose what fits you.

These extraordinary women chose not to have children, a decision that, in their respective times, was often met with scrutiny.