Woman urges normalizing not having kids after being inspired by America Ferrera's take on motherhood

Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" has shaken up the box office with its overwhelming success and the movie continues to spark a series of debates over topics revolving around feminism, patriarchy, what it means to be a woman and other notable social issues. In the blockbuster, actress America Ferrera's character Gloria received a lot of praise for her moving speech in the third act of the film. That specific part has made a woman on TikTok reconsider some crucial life decisions she previously had.

A woman on TikTok named Allie referred to an interview of Ferrera with @etalktv and explained how the film and her comments on motherhood convinced her to remain child-free. In her video, Allie stitched the interview clip of Ferrera who was discussing her decision to star in the hit film. The actress elaborated on how women can't hold onto their childhood, unlike men. For a woman, growing up is about "leaving the childish things behind" whereas men are free to cultivate their inner child by indulging in video games, having their own "mancaves" and more.

"That's what really touched me about Gloria as a character. This woman somehow made it to adulthood holding on to the value of play, the value of aspiration, and imagination is in a way counterculture. We can be a lot of things at once. We can be joyful, playful, imaginative, and childlike, and be a grown woman taken seriously," Ferrera said in the interview. Ferrera's comments on motherhood and girlhood changed Allie's perspective on a lot of things.

The TikTok creator has now made up her mind that she doesn't want to give up on certain aspects of her life just for the sake of raising a child because society expects every woman to do it. "Women statically do a majority of the child-rearing and work in heteronormative relationships," she pointed out. Allie adds that she feels blessed to have a loving and caring mother who contributed to shaping her into the woman she is now but it also made her realize that she does not want to be her mother. Allie is certain that she is not willing to give up on certain aspects of her life to raise a child, despite looking up to her mother.

"The 'Barbie' movie put a lot of things into perspective – just how much women do and take on and taking this full circle, women do give up childish things earlier because they are expected to take on that mantle," Allie continued. "I feel extremely blessed to have this lifestyle where I don't have to give up on myself and my inner child on how I always wanted to be when I was a little girl." She did remark that if she had kids, all of her time would be spent focusing on their schedules and needs and doing things for them to make sure they have a good life, thus compromising on her own.

Allie's comments and Ferrera's remarks on this topic reminded us how societal norms can limit the choices and dreams of women and kickstarted another round of conversation in the comment section of her video. @chalkituptocourt applauded Allie's thoughts and wrote: "Yes this! I never understood why women were so excited to leave their own selves behind so soon! Never made sense to me." @maybird777 quipped: "Yes. I am happy also that from a young age, my mother has always taught me that marriage and childbearing are not necessary steps in life."

@grumpyasskitten commented: "Same! I'm the woman today because of my mom. Watched my dad do nothing while my mom worked as well, cared for us, cooked, and cleaned. He still just sat." @katleonn added: "I had a similar convo with my mom in how I see my decision to not have kids as a gift. Marriage where she grew up was mostly out of necessity."