Lin's Perspective

This book was provided to me by Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

This little gem of a graphic novel does pack a punch.

If you are wondering it is not a metaphor, the title says it all, and as we read more of the story we discover why the author feels that way. Her view is presented by the lovely illustrations, and subtle humour of this journey of questioning why women should feel the need to have children.

I totally back up the author on her point of view. Let me just say I love children, I used to be a babysitter and just recently 4 years ago I looked after 2 wonderful boys in the UK for nearly 2 years and the little one at some point started calling me mum. Now, although I do love them, and I have occasionally thought if I want to have children truth is I do and I don’t.

For me personally, it is more of a fear of the complications that might come with the pregnancy itself as I used to work in the Emergency department of a big hospital in the UK. I am aware of what our body does and how it compensates for having another human being growing inside of you. What might happen if things go wrong, during and after pregnancy. I am afraid of the financial, social, and political aspects of the world we live in and that affects my view of bringing a child into it.

And, then there are times when I think to myself how wonderful it would be if I had another little me to continue my legacy values and culture. It is not black and white, it cannot be condensed down to just one good and one bad thing. It is not an easy decision to take and surely not one to make lightly either.

Both women and men should be able to decide without being pressured by our societal norms, family, or friends to have a family of their own. I have seen it all: couples having children to only break up due to the strains that come with this responsibility, couples that want to have children but cannot conceive, couples that have children and are happy, couples that have children and are unhappy.

Having a child is a huge thing and a duty that does not end when they come of age. It is a life-long sacrifice, putting them and their needs before anything else. I know right now I am not ready for this and I don’t know if I ever will… I am sure there are many people who feel the same way, and this is OK. It is OK not to be sure, and it is OK to be sure, just remember that whatever your point of view on this is it should be your choice and your choice only.

What are your thoughts on this topic?