Older Women as Mothers

It was in the news again this week, that a women past the age of childbearing was going to have a baby. This is just so selfish. I cannot believe that a woman of grandmother age would choose to have a child for unselfish reasons. It is clearly not in the best interests of a child to have an elderly mother. While the women who have done this have so far been in good health, there is no guarantee that they will remain that way - and whether we like it or not, and whether we want to admit it or not - old age causes inevitable physical problems in all of us. I am talking about things like arthritis, heart trouble, senility and bladder problems to name just a few.

I am aware that many women are not really getting into 'old' age until they are past the age of 60 today, but despite this, I feel that I can speak with some authority - my mother was nearly 40 when I was born over 50 years ago, and she was always 'old' to me....while I loved her dearly, she was not able to be active the way a younger person would have been.

Imagine a woman today, sending a child to first grade, at the age of 62. Having to deal with a teen when 70 years old, and seeing a child off to college when 74. The child might be about 25 when mom dies - granted, it is hard to lose a parent at any age! - but to know that your mom will not live long enough to see her grandkids - because she is already grandma age.....it is very selfish of these women, and I pity their children.

Trish

May 12, 2006.