Jen Kirkman I Can Barely Take Care of Myself - Jen Kirkman Comedy - Cosmopolitan
April 23, 2013 at 3:37PM
Jen Kirkman doesnt want to shatter your world but she has something to tell you: She doesnt want to have kids. Are you okay? Do you need a chair? You look pale. In 2013, a woman choosing not to procreate shouldnt be taboo but apparently it is. In her first book, I Can Barely Take Care of Myself: Tales from a Happy Life Without Kids, the hilarious Chelsea Lately performer and touring comedian talks about the trials and tribs of living baby-free. Parenthood can be very rewarding," Kirkman notes in her book, "but lets face it, so are margaritas at the adults-only pool Constantly questioned about her decision by friends, family and strangers, one recurring question she gets is, But who will take care of you when youre old? Her cheeky answer: Servants.
The Atlantic published an excerpt from the book today in a piece called, Its Very Condescending to Tell a Childless Woman that Shed Be A Great Mom.
Recently I ran into my old friend Rich in line at Target. I was standing there with my industrial sized bags of Skittles and a magazine about doing yoga and eating healthy. I was catching him up on the last year of my life, which went something like: So, yeah I'm divorced and dating around and I love living alone and I'm working all the timetraveling about every other weekend as well and finishing up my book about being Childfree. For some reason, this prompted him to say, Aw, come on, Jen Kirkman. You'd be such a good mom!
This statement is at best condescending and at worst, patently false and potentially dangerous. It's like telling a friend who you know has a paralyzing fear of wild animals that she would make a great game warden. Seriously, she should just shake off her deep-seated anxiety about being around rhinos and lions and just go out there and guide some poor innocent family on a safari. I'm sure you'll do fine!
One woman was so offended by Kirkmans personal life choice that she wrote her a scathing letter. It reads, This isn't a question. Get yourself some in-depth psychotherapy. There are things not to trust your feelings about, and your attitude toward yourself and motherhood is one of those things. Your own childhood must have been unhappy in some important way. I mean it. Get yourself some help.--Sharon Kass, Washington, D.C."
Wowza, Sharon Kass, you are one confused and angry lady. Someone book this woman on a daytime talk show YESTERDAY. Mama Kass obviously has a lot of amazing gems and wisdom to share with America. #Jerry #GoRicky