Tayo Adeniyi advises women to find fulfillment beyond marriage and children

Nollywood actress Tayo Adeniyi has told women, especially those in their late 30s and 40s, not to see marriage and having children as the only signs of a fulfilled life.

In a video shared on her social media page on Wednesday, she urged women to focus less on marriage and kids. She said happiness and fulfillment are possible without them.

Adeniyi spoke to women who have struggled to marry or have children despite their efforts. She advised them not to sacrifice their wellbeing just to meet society's expectations.

“Please, de-centre marriage. You do not have to get married and you do not have to have kids also.

“If you’re in your 40s and you’ve tried your best to find a man to be married or perhaps you’re married and you haven’t got any kids, please, I beg you, you can be whole without these things.

“You can be a whole you without having kids, without having a man in your life. Just get your life together. A whole life doesn’t have to be with a man or with kids,” she said.

Adeniyi emphasized that a woman's worth is not based on marriage or being a parent. She urged women not to stay in unhealthy relationships just to fit into what society expects.

“Don’t put up with nonsense because you want to be married or because you want to have children. Don’t. It’s not worth it.

“Don’t go out of your way to have these things. If it does not come naturally, let it go. Trust me, if it’s going to happen, it will happen and if it is not happening, there’s absolutely nothing you can do to make it happen,” she added.

She believes women can still lead happy and meaningful lives without a husband or children.

“You can be happy without children. You can be happy without a husband. Life has changed. Seasons have changed,” she said.

In another post on Instagram, Adeniyi clarified that “decentralising” marriage and children does not mean rejecting them. It means not making them the base of one's identity.

“Decentralising marriage and children means refusing to make them the center of your worth. They can be beautiful blessings, but they are not the only measure of a meaningful life.

“Purpose, peace, service, growth, and love also create a life that matters. Please love yourself first, you are enough,” she wrote.