The choice to become a parent — or not to — is one of the biggest decisions a woman can make in her life. The idea that the existence of a tiny human rests on the shoulders of one or two people can be daunting, scary and, quite frankly, not for everyone — especially in 2022, as many Canadians are rethinking their family plans amid the uncertainty of the pandemic. Whether it’s due to concerns over the environment, unstable financial times or simply a personal choice, there are plenty of reasons why women are reconsidering motherhood. We’ve rounded up 10 of the reasons why some women are consciously choosing to remain childfree.
![Raising children is a huge responsibility Woman standing with arms out stretched looking at mountain](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Raising children is a huge responsibility
![They may already be looking after other loved ones Three girls leaning on each other](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
They may already be looking after other loved ones
![Climate change is a concern Woman standing in between bushes admiring nature](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Climate change is a concern
![Lingering intergenerational trauma and family drama Woman standing still looking up at the sun](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Lingering intergenerational trauma and family drama
![Life is already good Woman holding her face and laughing](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Life is already good
![Wanting to avoid potential judgement and mom shaming Woman posing and smiling](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Wanting to avoid potential judgement and mom shaming
![Finding fulfillment in other places Women in workout clothes sitting on their knees laughing together](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Finding fulfillment in other places
![The rising cost of living Women on rooftop in city smiling with eyes closed](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
The rising cost of living
Having kids is not a cheap endeavor. When grocery bills start looking more like car payments, it may be time to reevaluate finances. Rising prices, with no real reprieve in sight, may feel daunting to women who may already be struggling to pay bills or save for the future. As the cost of living rises, but wages stay the same, having kids may be financially challenging to some.
![They already have a large family Five women sitting on couch laying on each other](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
They already have a large family
![They simply do not want to Woman with hood over her head and hair in her face holding onto her neckline laughing](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)