As a childfree woman, I read a few blogs that are written by childfree individuals.  Similarly, as a feminist, I read a few feminist blogs.  You would think the stories/issues covered in those blogs would be similar… at least once in a while.  Not so. 

This morning, I got to thinking that I hadn’t seen anything on the main feminist blogs I read about the article in the Daily Mail written by Carol Sarler where she opines that “bosses” are right to distrust women who choose to remain childfree.  I’m not going to go into detail about the article itself because, first, it’s completely contrary to every workplace experience I’ve had, as well as the experiences of all the friends, acquaintances, relatives, and co-workers I’ve surveyed on the issue.  Secondly, the article is picked apart bit by bit on another blog I read, Like It Is.  The author of that blog, as well as those commenting, have already taken care of that chore. 

My gripe is with the feminist community.  Where is their outrage over this article?  If this article had been written by a childfree individual and s/he had opined that mothers were not to be trusted in the workplace, the feminists would have been all over it crying about how mothers are discriminated against in the workplace and they get paid less and they get passed over for promotions more often, or whatever is the bleat du jour.  Yet, when it’s their childfree contingent getting slandered, you hear nothing from them, save the crickets chirping in the background. 

I searched Feministe for the word “childfree.”

I searched Feministing for the word “childfree.”

I searched Jezebel for the word “childfree.”

I searched WIMN for the word “childfree.”

And Blogher?  Well, I guess it was silly to think they would cover the story, unless they could get Her Royal Dooceness, et al. to get snarky and condescending about the childfree choice. 

I understand that there are far more women with children than there are women without children so, naturally, there are going to be more stories about the trials and tribulations of motherhood.  But the fact that most of the blogs I listed above have 0 results for the search term “childfree,” says something, doesn’t it? 

Feminists don’t give their childfree sisters the time of day. 

We are treated like second-class citizens in the feminist community.  And I find that really, really ironic since, you know, feminists are supposed to be all about equality for women.  One would think that would mean all women.

It’s a good thing I like the sound of crickets chirping.

Crossposted on The Forgotten Feminists. 

June 4th, 2009 | Category: Childfree, Feminism | Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL