In a world where certain life roles play a decisive part in shaping self-perception and social recognition, the absence of children can be seen as a loss not only of the personal but also of the spiritual dimension.

The Integral Role of Motherhood in Defining Self-Worth

In a world where certain life roles play a decisive part in shaping self-perception and social recognition, the absence of children can be seen as a loss not only of the personal but also of the spiritual dimension. Women deprived of the opportunity to fulfill the traditionally important role of motherhood may experience a sense of inner emptiness that affects both their self-esteem and how they are perceived by society.

Research and surveys among mature, successful women reveal that family takes precedence in their lives. For many of them, it isn’t merely about achieving career heights, but rather the ability to create and maintain a wholesome family atmosphere. Such women demonstrate a willingness to sacrifice material and professional achievements in order to preserve the priceless spiritual richness that motherhood and family life bring. This shows how deeply traditional values are embedded in our culture and how a strong sense of fulfillment comes precisely through having the opportunity to care for children and nurture a new generation.

In summary, motherhood is not just a social and cultural benchmark but also a crucial component of a woman’s inner harmony. Building a family and raising children bestows a sense of self-worth, inner well-being, and profound satisfaction with life, as evidenced by the accounts of those who have managed to realize this life scenario.

How can the absence of children and grandchildren affect a woman's social perception and self-esteem?

The lack of children – and consequently grandchildren – can lead a woman to feel an inner emptiness and suffering, since one of the key life scenarios attributed to the female essence remains unfulfilled. This not only impacts her self-esteem but also affects how she is perceived in society. In particular, one quote states:
"If a woman without children does not connect with her spiritual state, then she suffers. How much I struggled with a woman who had no children!... But everything she did was a burden..." (source: link txt)
This phrase indicates that the absence of children may evoke a feeling of spiritual inadequacy and constant inner suffering, which in turn can detrimentally affect a woman's self-esteem.

Furthermore, the results of surveys among mature, successful women show that family is of paramount importance to them. The survey revealed that women who have built a family place it first in their lives, and many of them would even sacrifice global achievements for the chance to re-nurture their children. This demonstrates that the lack of children deprives a woman of that aspect of life which is traditionally associated with genuine self-worth and fulfillment in both the social and personal spheres:
"I know that for women raised in modern culture, who dream of careers outside the family, all this may seem suspicious... but I can refer to the results of a survey conducted among mature, successful women. They were asked what was most important in life for them. And it turned out... that without exception, every woman who built a family ranked it first in her life. And a significant number of them – perhaps the majority – would give up all their achievements... for the chance to raise their children anew." (source: link txt)

Thus, within the traditional and cultural worldview where motherhood and family creation are considered key life benchmarks, the absence of children can diminish social recognition and impact a woman’s self-perception, reducing her sense of self-worth and success.

Supporting citation(s):
"If a woman without children does not connect with her spiritual state, then she suffers. ... But everything she did was a burden: going to the market, preparing food..." (source: link txt)
"I know that for women... every single woman who built a family, when evaluating her life, ranked family first. And a significant portion of them... would give up all their achievements, often on a global scale, for the chance to re-nurture their children." (source: link txt)