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Motherhood is no longer the main priority for women with many who putting personal freedom above nappies.

One in five (19%) women living in the capital think being child free is a positive choice, according to findings published this week.

A survey of 3,000 women including those living in London reveals that many women are no longer letting their biological clocks dictate the pace of their lives.

The Modern Motherhood report reveals a shift in attitudes towards motherhood with less than a fifth (17%) of women worrying they will be too old to conceive.

The investigation also shows that personal freedom is the main reason for not having children, not a desire to focus more on their careers.

Writer Beth McLoughlin, 35, has no plans to settle down to family life and child-rearing.

The foreign correspondent has just returned from two years living and working in Brazil.

Ms McLoughlin, who lives in Richmond, said that it annoys her when people question her choice not to become a mother.

In an interview with the Evening Standard, she said: ‘I like my freedom and think life is an adventure and a journey. I think there’s too much emphasis on ‘having it all’ which is a nonsense- we all make choices and with them come sacrifices. I love children- I’m off to babysit tomorrow- it’s just that being a mum’s not for me. I’m 35 now and there’s no sign of a ticking clock.

‘I think the most annoying reaction(from people)is disbelief. People patronisingly assume you will change your mind or regret your decision. I think that my generation is surprisingly conservative, and there is still an assumption from most people that a woman’s primary role in life is to be a mother.’

Sam Baker, Editor-in-chief of Red magazine which carried out the research, said: ‘This report provides an insightful view of modern motherhood. It seems that women now feel more confident to make their own decisions to prioritise what they want in life, including how and when they want to start a family.’

Other key findings from the survey include the fact that one in five (20%) women in the capital admitting they would consider having a baby on their own.

This includes visiting a fertility clinic or using online sites such as co-parentmatch.co.uk.

But more than half of women interviewed (53%) said the main downside of remaining childless is the fear of missing out.

One in three also feel judged for not conforming to what is expected of women.