The prevailing belief in many parts of the world is that having children is key to happiness – and that people who don’t have children are unfulfilled in their lives. But is this really the case? The answer to this question is both simple and complex – and the fulfilment you feel in your life, whether you decide to have kids or not, depends on many complex factors. Let’s look first at the simple answer – which is no, you don’t need to have children to be happy and fulfilled. Studies in women who are child-free by choice show most feel they have a good sense of identity and individuality. They …