Are Kids Career Killers?

More women than ever aren’t having kids.

Up 80 percent since 1976, the number of American women without children has risen to an all-time high of 1 in 5. Women with advanced degrees represent the majority of these women.

Reasoning is varied, but professional “success” and all that comes with it is certainly a driver of this trend toward childlessness.

As women’s health expert Dr. Laura Corio told AOL Health, “People are enjoying their lives: they’re traveling, shopping, eating out. Putting a baby into the situation is going to change everything.”

Years into her career, Heather Breedlove, CFO at Keystone Bros., doesn’t have any children.

“My husband and I are both very much plugged into a successful career life. And without a doubt, I enjoy my career – the fulfillment, the socialization with people, the travel,” Breedlove says. “Then, there are days I wonder if the career really matters.”

Some highly ambitious mothers say that change is the best thing to ever happen to them.

“It made me a better worker,” says Cynthia Johnson Rerko, whose son was born two days after she graduated from the University of Texas School of Law. “Being a mother teaches you a lot about flexibility, patience… multitasking.”

She adds, “Most of the people I know who have remained childless by choice or not by choice are very selfish.”

Microsoft General Manager of Worldwide Sales, Dana Manciagli, tells Pink, “I continued to travel the world for my job. We lived oversees with kids. I’m devoted to them and secondarily to my professional success.” “I’m a role model for them.”

The youngest and first female to become a partner at her Dallas law firm, Rerko, however, does remember making many sacrifices along the way – including her husband. “I worked very, very, very long hours,” she says.

Still, Breedlove thinks the adjustments are well worth the benefits, “I think children, with their innocence, laughter, and zest for life can offer us a perspective we don’t see in our office environment. We can learn from the lessons we’ve forgotten.”

“Life, to me, operates better with balance.”

Bonus PINK Link: Rise of the Mompreneur.

Have you put children off in pursuit of a successful career life?

By L. Nicole Williams

Nicole is the Editor at Little PINK Book. Follow her on Twitter @williamsnicolel.

“Life is about not knowing …what’s going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.” Gilda Radner