“Barefoot and Pregnant” Isn’t Everyone’s Idea of Happiness

My occasional glimpse at People.com isn’t usually research or blog fodder, but I can’t help but write about the new Jennifer Aniston cover story that will be hitting newsstands on Friday. If you’re up on your celebrity gossip, then you know that Jennifer Aniston has to be one of the most invoked names in the tabloids. There are stories about how she’s still in love with ex-husband Brad Pitt, that she becomes despondent when she sees pictures of Pitt’s new partner, Angelina Jolie, and that she wants a baby, stat. Providing an interview to People seems to be a good way to try to dispute, however temporarily, some of these tabloid stories.

But one quote provided on the Web site really stood out to me. When asked about the frequent dating and adoption rumors, Aniston says, “I think people honestly just want to see me as a mom and married and barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen…And I just want to say, ‘Everybody, relax! It’s going to happen!’”

Reading that line, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the recent Stuff Mom Never Told You podcast about people who elect to remain childfree. In the episode, Cristen and I talked about how difficult it can be for women who don’t feel a maternal urge to admit that, as our society places a high premium on marriage and motherhood. These stages are so ingrained that people feel comfortable asking perfect strangers when they’ll marry and have children; if the response is “never,” those same strangers often advise a woman that she’ll change her mind.

Since doing the episode, we’ve heard from many women — single and married — that don’t want kids. The constant questioning about the matter doesn’t cease, though, which I suppose is something regular women have in common with Jennifer Aniston. And here’s the thing about the questioning, whether it’s to Jennifer Aniston or your second cousin: It’s pretty rude. The activities of one’s uterus really shouldn’t be up for public discussion. If someone doesn’t have children, telling her she’ll change their mind can be condescending, or even heart-breaking, as you might be questioning someone with fertility issues that make her unable to conceive.

Now, I’m not saying Jennifer Aniston wants to remain childfree — none of us know, and none of us should know. Many people are just rooting for this symbol of a scorned woman to find true happiness and love. But let’s stop assuming that a baby is part of that picture.

You can get more Stuff Mom Never Told You by following Molly and Cristen on Twitter and Facebook, as well as by downloading the HowStuffWorks iPhone app.