E Tu, Etymology?

Crikey, I don't think the title of this is exactly right- since etymology is the study of the history of words and their usage. I am actually going to work with suffixes. My last ramblings, and subsequent Tweets amongst my tweeps, got me to thinking.

Childfree, or childless? Two words. Well, one word, one mash up of 2 words.

Child.. obvious. Offspring, progeny. We won't go into the terms used by the various factions of the childfree spectrum, but many of you know of which words I speak.

Free- a bit more involved. Dictionary.com lists FORTY NINE different forms of usage for the word free. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/free

In essence.. they are all positive. I have to concede that some of the snark I've read about our choice of terminology now make sense. Have any of you seen the bristling remarks? That defining ourselves as childFREE is an offhand slap in the face aimed at parents. A shadowy implication that they are shackled, burdened, impeded or otherwise enslaved by their choice to reproduce.

Still, I will never accept being referred to as childless. The word less (which now that I think about it is both a word and a suffix) rarely implies anything positive, not to mention liberating.
Sugarless- good for dentists. Fearless- hm, impressive or stupid? I could go on, but why.

As my previous post states, my own definition of childless is clear. People who want, or wanted children- but for whatever reasons cannot have them. This in itself opens the door on another rant that boils down to adoption as a resource in these case- but I won't go there today.

So what else could I call myself? Barren? No not really. I spent years throwing wrenches in the babyworks- finally having them dismantled (yay tubal ligation!). In truth, I mused for years how I would have SO given up my (then) functional parts to someone who wanted to carry and bear their own child. Another door.. fertility, again- discussion tabled .

Since I can't invite every person I encounter into my house to see the things that define me as an overgrown child, I can't allow them access to my mind to relive my experiences babysitting, and dealing with a younger sibling who got away with everything while I was the 'responsible' one. I can't impart the hundreds of other experiences that shape my decision never to bear children or be a parent to any one else's children I am at a verbal stalemate.

No labels.. hell yeah. Of the many I've been given, or I've adopted over the years- Childfree is one that I truly embrace. I exercised my ability to think, to pick and choose. While there are those who would say that at age ten it is impossible to make such a definitive choice- but I did it. For the past 34 years I have continued to make decisions to support that choice. Even now, sterilized and happily married- far from any opportunity to change my mind- I stick to my convictions. When given a chance to share with others that it's a choice to be a parent I will.

I am about as far from perfect as it gets boys, girls and assorted life forms. On most days, my opinion and about $4.00 will buy you a Frappucino at Starbucks. However I am what I am and there is no changing me.

Do I write to seek justification for my choices? To seek confirmation? To seek sympathy? No. I write because I like to write and I believe what I have to share must might help someone else. If it doesn't, at least my typing skills get a work out.