Jennifer Aniston: Since when has childbirth become compulsory?
Fans and non-fans will both agree that despite the odd romantic comedy here and there, Jennifer Aniston is undeniably a Friends star. Even so, I have always thought she suffered for being on the show just as much as she got adulation for it. It's almost as if one half of the world loves the show, and the other dislikes (or pretends to dislike) it, and those who aren't fond of it are quite vocal about their disdain. "Rachel" - the runaway bride, the sincere comrade, the sometimes materialistic sweetheart - became a strong identity for her anyway. People assumed that they had the right to judge Jennifer Aniston's hair, clothes, career and relationship status just because they sat judging Rachel Greene's hair, clothes, career and relationship status over thoughtless mouthfuls of microwaved popcorn.
Being under constant scrutiny comes with being a celebrity, but it's worth thinking about whether the recent slander about her not being a mother at 45 is just more inconsequential gossip or borders on dictating how she should be living her life. Especially when she has been called "selfish" and "career-driven" for a life choice that affects no one but her. Strong words to throw at someone you don't even know personally.
Aniston's retort went something like this: "I don't like the pressure that people put on me, on women — that you've failed yourself as a female because you haven't procreated. I don't think it's fair. You may not have a child come out of your vagina, but that doesn't mean you aren't mothering — dogs, friends, friends' children."
At the risk of sounding biased, this is exactly what I expected of her. A firm, no-nonsense reply. She made it clear that she didn't appreciate it, and gave out a brief lesson about stereotyping to go with her dismissal. It isn't just a gender stereotype that she was dealing with here, but also a stereotype about motherhood.
Hell, I've had every possible stereotype thrown at me and I'm not even a celebrity. Some of the more amusing ones have been: "You're so thin. You must hardly eat"; "Shaadi kab karegi? Don't girls like you get frustrated with your jobs?"; "Have you considered participating in Slut Walk? You seem the kind to shout out slogans." All amusing because I'm decently self-aware and can say with certainty that not one of them is spot on. That, because in reality, I have a massive appetite, don't think work is a substitute for marriage, and have never attended a protest of any sort. Does that mean I don't feel angry and empathetic when a woman is raped, or that Slut Walk is all about "shouting slogans"? No. Does it mean I had a good laugh over drinks with my friends? Yes.
That's probably what Jennifer Aniston did too. It's not going to make her want to be pregnant and raise a child any more than it's going to make me change who I am just to please people. I find it easier to mollycoddle puppies than I do to make baby-faces at, umm, babies. Maybe I'm a selfish baby-hater. Or a dog-lover. Neither of those is anyone else's problem.