spectator.org
2026-09-10
New York Magazine earlier this year published an article featuring women who say they regret having children. The lead sets the stage: "Sooner or later, everyone has to decide whether to give up lazy weekends, disposable income, and overall peace of mind to have a baby instead." What follows are three stories of young mothers who look back on their pre-baby lives with longing and conclude that motherhood itself is the source of their unhappiness.
One regretful mother, a 34-year-old former nonprofit executive from Rhode Island, mourns the loss of her professional identity and the satisfaction of "solving big problems," contrasting that work with the "tiny" decisions of motherhood. "I'm giving them the best life I can," she said. "But thinking about life without them, I'd be happier overall."
In every generation, a handful of people step into public roles that leave an enduring mark on history. A larger, fortunate few will have the privilege of working on something they find personally meaningful or fulfilling. Their legacy will likely not last beyond their lifetimes, and when they retire, other people will step into those roles. The work will continue, with or without them.