LONDON — A 34-year-old woman has sparked debate after revealing she wants her ex-boyfriend, 38, to compensate her for what she describes as “stolen childbearing years.”
Speaking to The Telegraph, the woman said she had paused her career to focus on building a future with her partner, believing they would eventually marry and have children. However, the relationship ended when her boyfriend said he was not ready for that stage of life.
“He tells me he feels, at 38, as though he still has a decade of enjoying his lifestyle and powering through with his career and is not ready for marriage and children,” she told the outlet. “Here I am at 34, eggs twitching, ready for the marriage and parenthood stage of life, but unexpectedly single and emotionally devastated.”
The woman argued that her ex should be held financially responsible for the setback to her life plans — including the cost of IVF treatment or egg freezing — claiming that he “owes” her for lost time and broken promises.
“Surely he should have some responsibility for helping me mitigate the damage to our plans caused by his change of heart and broken promises?” she said.
Her story has ignited widespread discussion online, with some sympathizing with her emotional and biological concerns, while others argue that relationships do not come with legal or financial guarantees.
No legal action has been filed, and it remains unclear whether such a claim would hold merit under existing family or civil law.
