Mary J. Blige is opening up about the personal experiences that influenced her decision not to have children. During a candid conversation with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson on the “IMO” podcast, the Grammy-winning singer reflected on growing up around women who she felt had limited choices and resources, explaining how those experiences shaped the way she viewed motherhood and her own future.
via People:
Blige explained that when she was younger, she believed motherhood would be limiting. She shared, “I saw a lot of people struggling, my family members needing babysitters, them not having a choice. No freedom. So when you’re younger, that’s the choice you make, ‘I don’t want any kids.’ “
The singer explained that the choice wasn’t always easy, and there were times when she felt the weight of the decision. In return, the former First Lady spoke to the importance of children understanding all the options life offers them and, particularly, for young women to understand that motherhood is an option, but not necessary “to be a whole person.”
Obama continued, “Because just like with everything else, if you’re not a whole person, a child will not do that for you. It won’t complete you. You will just now be disappointed that this other human being didn’t fulfill the holes that were in you. And now you’ve got a child that feels burdened by filling your holes.”
She then added, “You gotta be a whole person. You should want that even more than wanting to be a parent. You should want to figure yourself out.”
