'I am having a vasectomy as we can't afford a child'

Chris Taylor, a 33-year-old truck driver, and his partner Jemma Wrathmell, a dog groomer, have made a significant decision regarding their future. After being together for 11 years and earning a combined income of about £60,000, they have decided that Chris will undergo a vasectomy. The couple, who reside in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, had previously considered the possibility of having children. However, after numerous discussions about the financial implications, including the costs of schooling and daily routines, they concluded that they simply cannot afford to raise a child. Chris expressed their concerns, stating, 'After all our bills and essentials there is no room in the budget to accommodate a child. ' They both feel that their financial situation is unlikely to improve in the near future, leading them to make this definitive choice. Jemma added that while some friends have suggested they might change their minds, they are confident in their decision, with Jemma noting, 'I'm also not that maternal.

Another individual, Ellie Lambert, who is 39 and lives in Sheffield, shares a different perspective. She has frozen her eggs in hopes of one day finding a suitable partner or being in a financial position to raise a child on her own. Ellie invested £18,000 in two cycles of egg freezing, which she finds frustrating given the high costs and uncertain outcomes. She is particularly concerned about the financial burden of raising a child, which a report from the Child Poverty Action Group estimates to be around £166,000 for couples and £220,000 for single parents by the time the child reaches 18. Despite her hopes of meeting someone by her late 20s, Ellie has found dating to be challenging, even with the help of various dating apps. She describes the experience as 'fruitless,' attributing it to the overwhelming number of choices and a general reluctance among people to commit.

Dami Olonisakin, a 34-year-old podcaster from London, is also taking her time when it comes to motherhood. She believes that advancements in fertility treatments, such as egg freezing, empower women and provide them with more control over their reproductive choices. Dami emphasizes that motherhood is a serious commitment that should not be taken lightly. She wants to ensure she has a supportive partner before deciding to have children and is not rushing into parenthood simply because it is expected of her. Instead, she is focusing on her career and personal growth, having grown up in a household that faced financial difficulties. Dami recalls her determination to avoid putting a child through similar struggles, stating, 'I remember thinking to myself, I am never ever putting a child through this.