You know, sometimes it feels like no matter how far we’ve come, some people are still stuck in the past. I was scrolling through the news when I saw a headline that caught my attention—Vice President Kamala Harris was addressing criticism about not having biological children. Honestly, I couldn’t believe this was even a topic. But as I read more, her response was just what we all needed to hear: “It’s not the 1950s anymore.”
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Now, what does that even mean? Well, think back to what you know about the 1950s. It was a time when women were often expected to get married, stay at home, and have children. That was supposed to be the “perfect” life. But Harris, like so many modern women, is here to remind us that times have changed. Women can have fulfilling, powerful careers, make huge impacts in the world, and—guess what?—not be mothers, if that’s their choice.
People seem to have this idea that a woman isn’t truly complete unless she’s had kids. And for a woman as successful as Kamala Harris, some critics have tried to use this against her. But she isn’t having any of it. Harris pointed out that everyone’s life is different, and not everyone wants or needs the same things to feel happy or accomplished. She and her husband, Doug Emhoff, are happy in their own way, and that’s what really matters.
To be honest, I admire the way Harris handled the criticism. She could have ignored it, but instead, she used it as an opportunity to educate people. And it’s not just about her. It’s about all the women out there who face pressure to conform to a certain idea of what their lives should look like. She’s making it clear that, whether or not you have kids, your life is yours to shape.
What’s interesting is that Harris isn’t entirely without a family—she’s a stepmom, or as she lovingly calls herself, “Momala,” to Emhoff’s two children from his previous marriage. She’s shown that you don’t need to have biological kids to have a family or to share love. It’s a beautiful reminder that family comes in all shapes and sizes.
I think it’s so important that we have leaders like Kamala Harris who aren’t afraid to challenge outdated ideas. By speaking out, she’s telling young girls everywhere that it’s okay to dream big, pursue your goals, and not feel pressured to fit into a box that society might want to put you in. Whether you want to be a mother, a CEO, both, or neither, it’s up to you.
So the next time someone says something like, “When are you having kids?” or suggests that a woman’s worth is tied to her ability to be a mom, just remember what Harris said. It’s not the 1950s anymore, and every woman has the right to choose her own path—kids or no kids. What matters most is living the life that makes you happy and proud.
