WTC News Blog

Last time, I spoke about why marriage should not be reduced to procreation. Today, I want us to look at another side of the same issue: the emotional and financial price couples sometimes pay because society expects them to have children at all costs. For some couples, the struggle to have a child is already painful enough. But instead of receiving understanding and support, they are often faced with questions, pressure, comparisons, unsolicited advice and constant reminders that they are yet to have children. And that pressure can become expensive. Some couples move from one hospital to another, try different fertility treatments, spend money on traditional remedies, visit different religious centres, travel for treatment and sometimes exhaust their savings—all while desperately trying to meet society’s expectations. Let me be clear: there is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking medical help when you genuinely want a child. The problem begins when people feel they must keep spending,...

I honestly believe it is time we have a serious conversation about the way society views marriage and childbearing. Procreation should not be presented as the only purpose or measure of a successful marriage. Not every couple will have children, and not everyone even wants children. Yet, because of the enormous pressure society places on couples especially women…many women are subjected to insults, shame, rejection, emotional abuse and unbearable pressure simply because they have not conceived. Some marriages have become chaotic because of this mentality. Some women have suffered deeply, and some have tragically lost their lives under the weight of the stigma and pressure. We need a radical reorientation. Marriage should be about love, companionship, partnership, understanding, friendship and building a meaningful life together. Children can be a beautiful part of that journey, but they should not be the yardstick for determining a woman’s worth or the success of a marriage. Even from ...