News of February
This month’s testimonials come from Ecuador, the United States and Europe, and bring to the fore a perspective that is at the heart of Lunàdigas: that of childfree women who speak from their own experience and choices, and from the way in which these are continually interpreted, and often judged, from the outside.
These are voices that describe what it means to inhabit this space, how it is questioned or defended, and that interrogate family and motherhood from a perspective that has historically not been allowed to do so.
Rosi and Fu Yu: “Everything they tell you if you’re not a mother”
In Cuenca, two women, one of whom is of Taiwanese origin, discuss their experiences. Both have chosen not to have children, despite the numerous social judgements they have faced, which they list and explore with irony and depth, protecting above all the right of each to self-determination.
Wolfgang: “I don’t need a family and all the rest”
Wolfgang tells us that he decided at a young age that he didn’t want children because they didn’t fit into his life plans. His family and friends respect his choice, and he acknowledges that the decision not to have children can have different implications for men and women, especially for biological reasons.
Julianna: “It’s not a choice you should interfere with”
Julianna, a student at the University of Washington, answers a point-blank question about what she thinks of women without children: it’s a topic, she argues, that it’s best not to interfere with, as it’s very personal.
Natalia: “I have never, at any time, wanted to have children”
Natalia, a Polish woman living in Germany, made a conscious decision not to have children. She attributes this choice to her lack of desire for motherhood and the importance she places on personal freedom and her relationship with her partner. Her decision is shared by her husband and has been accepted by her family. Natalia talks about the contrast between the greater openness in Germany and the more conservative view of women in Poland.
MARIA ANNA DI GIOIA, Com’è l’acqua (How’s the water?): A review by Claudia Mazzilli
Maria Anna Di Gioia, a high school teacher and feminist activist, brings together reflections, documents, and audiovisual materials in her work. She proposes educational workshops—complete with extensive bibliographies and webographies, most of which are available for free—designed for specific Awareness Days. In the school system, these days often lapse into mere showcase events or formal ceremonies, partly due to a lack of adequate resources.
