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More and more people in the U.S. choose not to have children.
Still, being achild-freeadult comes with lots of pressures, especially for women.
While its understandable from a human standpoint giving help to those who need it its not actually so simple.
Its not because child-free people dont like kids.
Many enjoy their company and would gladly hang out with children.
Imchild-freeby choice, so no, I dont want to look after your kids, columnist Jana Hockingwritesfor News.com.au.
Something happens once they start having kids.
We singletons become less friends, and more servants to you and your children.
Lucy Rimalower, M.A., M.F.T.,explainsthat many women struggle with these prejudices.
Theyve been hearing their whole lives that being a mother is a moral imperative.
It is a requirement to be a complete woman.
Research shows that only 2.9% of babysittersare male.
If thats the statistic for professionals, what can women expect when theyre at family gatherings?
Experts say that the stereotype that women are innate carers is still prevalent in our culture.
Researchshowsthat 81% of all caregivers are in fact, women.
Women are also socialized to be carers from an early age.
One interestingstudylooked at teenagers, both male and female, who workedbabysittingjobs.
Whats more, when the boys asked for a raise, families viewed them as more competent.
When girls did the same, parents saw them as less likable and manipulative.
Miriam Forman-Brunellwritesin her book Babysitter: An American History that babysitting developed as a method of socialization.
Teenage girls got some autonomy through a job while maintaining traditional gender roles.
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