Single, Childless, Aging... and Terrified.
January 1, 2015 10:56 PM Subscribe
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/single-childless-and-downright-terrified/?_r=0 The comments section of this article is just as interesting imo.
A few of the comments in the link:
Martha July 22, 2011 · 3:20 pm
.... In my case, my professor husband left me for one of his students when I was 34 ( and had supported him emotionally and financially to get his Ph.D.)
I wanted children, but he declared they would interfere with his academic career. He said he was setting me free to find someone who would have children with me.
I never found such a person and am single and childless. He, on the other hand, married a student (not the one he left me for) half his age and has three children.
I know other women who spent their prime child-bearing years married, and then their husbands left them when they got into their 30s.
When will society take a hard stand against that?
Mary Simas October 26, 2010 · 12:00 am
....Those with children generally end up dying in long-term care facilities just like those who do not have children, especially if the grown children are not relying upon the pension check of the old person for the household income. I recently learned of a very sad case of an old person being kept alive against the old person’s will because the grown children are living off of the old person and want to keep the checks flowing in.
Pat August 30, 2008 · 8:31 pm
I asked about the arrangements some folks make for a supportive community to age in place. One of the leaders is in Boston: http://www.beaconhillvillage.org/ and there are others.
Jay October 13, 2008 · 1:33 pm
To those who insist it is not the child’s duty to care for their parents, who’s duty is it? The taxpayers?
C March 3, 2009 · 8:13 am
Neither my sister and I ever had children. She is 8 years younger and a health/fitness freak. She says she will be there for me. as for herself; she plans to commit suicide before she gets to the point where she ends up in a home. She has the whole thing planned out. But likely she will have enough resources to see her through ok, at least till her mid 90’s
Ken August 20, 2008 · 9:43 pm
I got a vasectomy. My friends freaked out; they were sure that I would regret it....
I’ve never been married, although I’m still interviewing candidates for the position.....I would never, ever want or expect someone else to be responsible for caring for me as I grow old. We get the time we get; I’m using mine to the fullest every day; and when my time comes, I’m taking my Ferrari off a high bridge so you can all read about it in the Times. (You probably think that’s a joke, don’t you?)
A few of the comments in the link:
Martha July 22, 2011 · 3:20 pm
.... In my case, my professor husband left me for one of his students when I was 34 ( and had supported him emotionally and financially to get his Ph.D.)
I wanted children, but he declared they would interfere with his academic career. He said he was setting me free to find someone who would have children with me.
I never found such a person and am single and childless. He, on the other hand, married a student (not the one he left me for) half his age and has three children.
I know other women who spent their prime child-bearing years married, and then their husbands left them when they got into their 30s.
When will society take a hard stand against that?
Mary Simas October 26, 2010 · 12:00 am
....Those with children generally end up dying in long-term care facilities just like those who do not have children, especially if the grown children are not relying upon the pension check of the old person for the household income. I recently learned of a very sad case of an old person being kept alive against the old person’s will because the grown children are living off of the old person and want to keep the checks flowing in.
Pat August 30, 2008 · 8:31 pm
I asked about the arrangements some folks make for a supportive community to age in place. One of the leaders is in Boston: http://www.beaconhillvillage.org/ and there are others.
Jay October 13, 2008 · 1:33 pm
To those who insist it is not the child’s duty to care for their parents, who’s duty is it? The taxpayers?
C March 3, 2009 · 8:13 am
Neither my sister and I ever had children. She is 8 years younger and a health/fitness freak. She says she will be there for me. as for herself; she plans to commit suicide before she gets to the point where she ends up in a home. She has the whole thing planned out. But likely she will have enough resources to see her through ok, at least till her mid 90’s
Ken August 20, 2008 · 9:43 pm
I got a vasectomy. My friends freaked out; they were sure that I would regret it....
I’ve never been married, although I’m still interviewing candidates for the position.....I would never, ever want or expect someone else to be responsible for caring for me as I grow old. We get the time we get; I’m using mine to the fullest every day; and when my time comes, I’m taking my Ferrari off a high bridge so you can all read about it in the Times. (You probably think that’s a joke, don’t you?)
This post was deleted for the following reason: Hey, this needs a bit of fixing: a bare url is not good, and maybe a bit less of a "IMO" kind of presentation. Please contact us to discuss changes. -- taz
« Older They opened up a bank account in her name with it. | Melk Abbey Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments