Jennifer Aniston is taking a stand against public misconceptions surrounding her decision not to have children. In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar U.K., the iconic Friends star addressed the persistent narrative that her focus on her career, particularly following her 2005 divorce from Brad Pitt, has been the reason she hasn’t started a family.
Aniston expressed her frustration with the lack of understanding from the public regarding her journey over the past two decades. “They didn’t know my story, or what I’d been going through over the past 20 years to try to pursue a family, because I don’t go out there and tell them my medical woes,” she stated. “That’s not anybody’s business.”
The 56-year-old actress criticized the stereotype that frames her as selfish or overly dedicated to her work, saying, “There comes a point when you can’t not hear it—the narrative about how I won’t have a baby, won’t have a family, because I’m selfish, a workaholic. It does affect me—I’m just a human being. We’re all human beings.”
Reflecting on her personal struggles, Aniston shared that she underwent years of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in her pursuit of motherhood. This revelation underscores the emotional challenges that many women face when it comes to family planning, often exacerbated by societal pressure and scrutiny.
Aniston previously addressed similar issues in a 2016 op-ed for HuffPost, in which she called out the media for its often insensitive portrayal of women and the pressures they endure regarding motherhood. Through her continued advocacy, she hopes to shed light on the complex realities of women’s reproductive choices and the personal stories behind their decisions.
This stance illustrates the importance of compassion and understanding in discussions surrounding women’s lives and choices, emphasizing that each individual’s journey is unique and deserving of respect.