Facebook non-motherhood challenge: People celebrate not having kids with alternative photographs
Comedian Ellie Taylor posted images of herself clutching a bottle of wine
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The backlash to the Facebook Motherhood Challenge has already begun - with posts about how happy people are not being parents.
There has been some condemnation of the original craze sweeping social media, which asks women to post pictures of themselves online to demonstrate how happy they are to be mums, and to "tag" others by name to coerce them to do the same.
Critics have branded the viral phenomenon "smug and offensive" to women who can't - or don't want - to have children, including those who have suffered from infertility or miscarriage.
But others insist it is "just a bit of fun" and that people are "taking it too seriously".
In response to the fad, which follows in the footsteps of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and the No Make Up Selfie for Cancer Research - albeit not seemingly to raise money for charity - Essex-based comedian Ellie Taylor compiled her own series of pictures.
Ms Taylor, who has appeared on TV shows Mock the Week and 8 out of 10 Cats, posted five images online of her lovingly caressing a bottle of wine, and having a good sleep - something parents of young children may recognise as a nostalgic memory.
Non-Motherhood Challenge: I was nominated by myself to post five pictures that make me happy to be a non-mother. Such special memories.
Posted by Ellie Taylor on Monday, 1 February 2016
She accompanied them with the title: "Non-Motherhood Challenge: I was nominated by myself to post five pictures that make me happy to be a non-mother. Such special memories."
Her Facebook post has had more than 114,000 'likes' in less than 24 hours.
And on Reddit, a user by the name of missprecocious posted a series of shots of herself and her husband - and their pristine white sofa.
"Here's my five non-mom challenge," she wrote. "I actually like my husband after over six years of marriage, and we like to go on child-limited (aka... NICE) cruises around the world (get fancy for each other) and scuba dive.
"We flipped a house, sold it, and bought a Steinway piano with the profit (my dream... 23 years of playing).
"Up until last month, I was a military flying weapons officer. Carpe diem! and... WHITE COUCH!"
People were vociferous in their support - one user, LadyKyo, wrote: "Seconded. An ultrasound pic is an automatic unfriending."
Another wrote: "I just told my husband last night i am going to start hiding his sister's posts about baby crap (like safety nonsense, not pics of my niece or nephew, which she actually never posts) and political s**t.
"i am done with that. i already unfollowed two people due to excessive breastfeeding crap. i will keep doing it. i don't care. it keeps me sane."
And a user by the name of Bertfossil wrote: "It would make more sense if it's a "challenge" to say find 5 pics to share that DONT have your kids in them!!!"
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments