“I look at it like this — because I don’t have my own children, I’m able to send strangers to college,” she said.
Parenting is not a joke for the comedian Chelsea Handler. Handler, 47, appeared on TODAY on January 12, to discuss her new Netflix special Revolution, which includes her thoughts on parenting. "It’s important to know when you don’t have the skills to raise a baby. You know, instead of shaming people we should say, 'Oh good, good for you for knowing that you shouldn’t have a baby!'" Handler said in a short clip from the special.
The comedian also said that while she leans into humor, she is making a serious point, "(There are) some overtures to women and men out there, and anyone who doesn't identify as either, that you are not defined by the children that you bring into the world (and) that you're not defined by your relationships or being married," Handler told TODAY. Handler said the message is “, especially for women."
She added, “As a woman, I’m so sick and have been so sick of being asked that question repeatedly when I’ve made my views so clear to people." The comedian also noted that there is a lack of representation of "people in this world that just want to be living their lives and live out loud and loving hard without a family and without that kind of societal construct." Handler said having kids is something to "seriously consider before taking it on." She added, "I think that a lot of people just think, 'Oh, I have to do that. That’s the next step'," she explained. "And it’s so annoying because it’s not what you have to do."
In another interview with The View on Thursday, January 12, the comedian said that she still gets asked if she’s “sure,” she doesn’t want kids, and assured everyone, that she’s positive that she’s not interested in having children. Handler also said, "I’m 47, and people are still asking me, ‘Are you sure?’ I’m sure. I’ve had the opportunity to care through with a pregnancy, and I’ve rejected that idea,” she said.
Although Handler has chosen to not have kids of her own, she embraces her role as an aunt, she told TODAY, "I'm a great aunt. I crush that role," she said, adding, "I’m texting with them all the time. I’m teaching them about consent. I’m on it — and that’s my bandwidth." This is not the first time Handler has expressed her opinions on parenting, in a September 2022 episode of her podcast, Handler said she has more "availability" for other children because she doesn't have her own.
Handler added at the time, "If I had my own I would be all about them." She added, “I look at it like this — because I don’t have my own children, I’m able to send strangers to college. I’m able to support kids that I’ll never meet, in countries that I’ll never even visit. But I’m able to give so much because I don’t have my own family and to me, that is my purpose. I would be a shitty mother. I would be selfish. I would want everything to be great for my kid and forget about all the other kids in the world."
References:
https://www.today.com/parents/moms/chelsea-handler-parenting-rcna65513
https://hollywoodlife.com/tag/the-view/
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1y4cOSkeKsbCPsvMGqnbll?si=180af55ac83a4021&nd=1
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo By Rich Fury
