A couple years ago, I became aware that somebody I’d met once or twice was telling people I was clearly desperate to have children. This assertion was so out of left field I wasn’t even offended or angry. I’d never discussed children with this person.
But what if I did really, really want to have children? Then I think I would have found this comment pretty hurtful, because it would have taken a true statement about me and twisted it up. I would have had a sensitive and deeply felt desire get turned into a weapon. Rhetorically speaking, if you can bear children and you’re in your thirties and you don’t have any, you’re often boxed into some frustrating positions:
You want children and you’re open about wanting children. You know you might not have them but if you don’t, you will always mourn that loss. In whic…
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