On a Tangent

A space to share our experiences and thoughts.

Alysia Christiaen Alysia Christiaen

The Government Does Not Belong in the Bedroom

As governments grow increasingly concerned about declining birth rates, the conversation around reproduction is shifting in troubling ways. What begins as economic policy can quickly become social pressure — especially for women. This article explores why reproductive autonomy matters, why pronatalist policies often miss the real issue, and why women do not owe the state, the economy, or society children.

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Alysia Christiaen Alysia Christiaen

Not Wanting Kids is Not a Debate

A recent episode of the Smartless podcast where hosts Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes interview Charli xcx exemplifies both the dumb response and the unwarranted examination when she told them that she didn’t want to have kids.

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Alysia Christiaen Alysia Christiaen

The Myth of the Discontented Child-Free Worker

It is often assumed that child-free employees are less satisfied at work — quietly disengaged, under-rewarded, or disadvantaged by so-called “family-friendly” workplace policies that do not reflect their lives.

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Alysia Christiaen Alysia Christiaen

Seth Rogen: True and Child-Free

Seth Rogen is a man who is open about his and his wife, Lauren Miller’s, desire not to have children. And that is what makes me love him even more.

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Alysia Christiaen Alysia Christiaen

Monsters, Misfits, and the Childless*: A Troubling Cinematic Trend

Forming a family and having children is often portrayed as a key part of a fulfilling life. Many hold this to be true. But what happens when this dream doesn't come true? A study explores how films portray involuntary childlessness and how these portrayals contribute to the stigma of those without children.

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Alysia Christiaen Alysia Christiaen

Falling in love with solo travel

I wasn’t always comfortable with the idea of travelling by myself. If I couldn’t find a friend to travel with, I didn’t go. Then I happened across a book …

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