Courtesy of Bri Conn
- Bri Conn and her partner got married this year and have decided not to have children.
- She made the decision after joining Facebook groups, asking parents, and assessing her lifestyle.
- She's happy with her decision and will focus instead on her career, saving money, and her partner.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Bri Conn, a 26-year-old who has decided not to have kids. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
I grew up in South Dakota, and my community preached that faith and family were the top two priorities. I had never met anyone who bluntly said they didn't want to have kids. However, my mom thought differently than the people in my small town.