Australian model Ellie Gonsalves has opened up about her decision to not have children, revealing 117 reasons why she has chosen to remain child-free.
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Gonsalves shared that she has never felt the desire to have children and has always been content with her decision.
“I’ve never had that maternal instinct or longing to have children,” Gonsalves said. “I’ve always been focused on my career and my own personal growth.”
The 29-year-old model also cited her busy schedule and the demands of her career as reasons for not wanting children.
“I travel a lot for work and I have a very demanding schedule. I don’t think I could give a child the time and attention they deserve,” she explained.
Gonsalves also expressed concerns about the state of the world and the future for potential children.
“With everything going on in the world, I worry about bringing a child into this chaotic and uncertain environment,” she said. “I don’t want to subject them to that.”
The model also touched on the financial aspect of having children, stating that she wants to be able to provide a comfortable life for herself and her future partner without the added expense of raising children.
“I want to be able to travel, buy a nice house, and enjoy my life without the added financial burden of raising children,” she said.
Gonsalves also addressed the societal pressure and expectations placed on women to have children.
“There is this societal expectation that women should want to have children and that it’s the ultimate goal in life,” she said. “But I don’t believe that is true for everyone.”
The model hopes to break the stigma surrounding women who choose not to have children and wants to encourage others to make their own decisions about their reproductive choices.
“I want to show that it’s okay for women to not want children and that it’s a valid choice,” she said. “We should all be able to make our own decisions about our bodies and our lives without judgment.”
Gonsalves also shared that she has received backlash and criticism for her decision, but she remains firm in her choice.
“I’ve had people tell me that I’ll regret not having children or that I’m selfish for not wanting them,” she said. “But I know in my heart that this is the right decision for me.”
In the end, Gonsalves hopes to inspire others to be true to themselves and not feel pressured to conform to societal norms.
“I want to encourage others to follow their own path and not feel pressured to fit into a certain mold,” she said. “We should all be able to live our lives on our own terms.”
