"Women Who Don’t Have Children Were Thrust into the Spotlight"

At Psychology Today, Kate Kaufmann declares Childless Cat Ladies the 2024 Women of the Year, and makes an excellent point about what many of us would call negative attention:

This year women from all walks of life proudly stepped into our #MeToo moment, carrying signs and posting about the myriad ways we matter. And when politicians doubled down on the childless cat lady trope, I was heartened. Even pejorative dialog can crack open new paths to understanding.

It takes courage to come out of the shadows. I’m grateful to have been thrust into the spotlight, despite the vitriol and outrage expressed about our very existence. Being in the spotlight offers a clear path to compare and contrast our lives with those of family and friends who are mothers.

Even pejorative dialog can crack open new paths to understanding. This is so true.

As frustrating, maddening, disheartening as it can be to be publicly targeted and misrepresented for our decision to remain childfree, it also provides an opportunity. And "childless cat ladies" across the United States (and indeed the entire world) have stepped forward to make the most of that opportunity.

Speaking up and speaking out is the only way to create lasting change, to finally normalize choosing not to parent.

I'm proud of us. I'm proud to be among you, Women of the Year.

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