Dr. Joan Cronin

And increasing numbers of women are making the conscious decision not to have children.

There's no doubt the financial crisis, the state of the world, wars...

ethical and humanitarian concerns are contributing.

But another factor is the fact that women have the choice available to them today.

That's something that wasn't available to them historically.

There is, David.

There's no question about it.

From my own perspective and from the perspective of the women that I interviewed for my research, there is what one would sometimes refer to as a stigma or indeed negative judgment.

The decision is not accepted as valid or legitimate.

It's consistently questioned.

Even still?

Even still, it's challenged, it's questioned by family.

There's an assumption that every woman should not only have a child, but should want to have a child.

And it's not accepted as a legitimate or valid life choice.

So I suppose, look, we've all had questions and challenges put toward us.

I know...

Like you'd make a great mother.

You're losing out.

Who's going to look after you when you're older?

They are some of the comments that I've come across, you know, in my journey.