Kirstie Allsopp insists that career women are no better off than their mothers who put raising families first - and says the pressure to succeed is 'a rod for our own backs'
- TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp, 46, shared her views on motherhood
- She revealed that her intentions have always been to be a stay-at-home mum
- She also says she would advise her daughter to have kids rather than a career
She has managed to juggle motherhood with a successful TV career but presenter Kirstie Allsopp says women who work in high-powered jobs are no better off than their mothers.
The TV star has revealed she never intended to work and instead wanted to be a stay-at-home mother with a large family.
Miss Allsopp, 46, who has two children with her property mogul partner Ben Andersen, said women working in high-powered jobs had made ‘a rod for our own backs’.
She said: ‘In the context of talking about sexism, a lot is expected of women. Are we better off than our mothers? Not necessarily. That’s an interesting debate. Have we made a rod for our own backs?’
TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp (pictured), 46, shared her views on motherhood and how they've influenced her career choices
Ms Allsopp, who splits her time between Devon and London, has two sons with her partner, named Bay, 11, and Oscar, nine. She is also step-mother to the property tycoon’s two other children, Hal and Orion.
She said modern women often say bringing up children is ‘boring’, describing this as a ‘monster myth’ that plagues women.
Speaking to Good Housekeeping magazine, she said: ‘I think that there are one or two monster myths that exist – like that bringing up children is boring.
‘I never intended to have a career. I dodged all the career sessions at school and told the careers teacher that I intended to get married and have four children and I had no need for careers. I wasn’t going to be that person.’
Despite her previous strong stance against becoming a career woman, she said she will now ‘never stop working’ and doesn’t ever plan to retire.
Kirstie has previously stated that she would advise her daughter to focus on having a boyfriend, flat and children instead of a career
She believes millennial men are equally as sexist as other generations despite having 'more knowledge' of women
She added: ‘I’ll never stop working. I have no concept of retirement. The most terrifying thing about the children growing up is, “What do I do when I don’t have to not work in order to be with the children?”’
The Location, Location, Location star, has been on TV since 2000 presenting a series of property shows and, more recently, a string of craft and homestyle programmes.
The full interview appears in the February issue of Good Housekeeping (pictured)
She describes herself as a ‘passionate feminist’, and is also known for her outspoken views about family life.
In 2014 she revealed she would advise her daughter to avoid university and instead focus on getting a flat, a boyfriend and having children.
The TV star said that while millennial men are ‘more knowledgeable’ about women, they are not less sexist.
She explained: ‘I don’t necessarily buy the argument that the younger generation of men are more respectful of women.
‘They may be more knowledgeable, but I don’t think they’re particularly more admiring of women. And maybe one shouldn’t be admiring of a sex in general. You should be admiring of specific people.’
The full interview appears in the February issue of Good Housekeeping, on sale January 3.
Most watched News videos
- Awkward moment Tess Daly is caught in off-camera exchange
- Joe McFadden dances heart out to become champion
- F***ing joke? Paula Radcliffe's husband on Mo Farah's SPOTY win
- Scene of fatal car crash in Birmingham where at least 6 died
- Footage shows moments after horror car smash in which 6 died
- Shocking footage shows fire breaking out at Cameron House, Scotland
- Darius Campbell reveals charity water filter that can 'save lives'
- Police statement after 'horrific' multi-vehicle crash in Birmingham
- Restaurant boss stunned after customers send letter with bill
- Fire rages from car after it exploded with driver stuck inside
- Ashley Jensen seen with her husband at the 2008 Emmy Awards
- Prince Harry jokes around with Barack Obama before interview
- Grieving mother-in-law says she 'never really knew' her...
- Twerking or turkey? Great British Bake Off's festive feud...
- Wife, 31, 'stabs her husband to death with their children...
- Daughter, 54, caused death of her 81-year-old mother and...
- Two children murdered in bed by their deputy headteacher...
- Is this Britain's first private house SWAP? Downsizing...
- 'Beautiful' mother-of-two and her scientist boyfriend who...
- No Margaret, a trifle is not an ashtray! CRAIG BROWN on...
- Ferne McCann's acid attacker ex-lover WINKS as he is...
- Britain's FILTHIEST house: Revolting scene including...
- Ex-nurse, 27, who pretended to be a man to pursue online...
- Thought you knew the Tube map? Not any more - THIS is how...
- Boyfriend watched in horror as former public school girl,...
- Average council tax bill set to SOAR by £107 after the...
- 'Christmas terror plot foiled': Police kick door off its...
- Travellers cause chaos as they block train station car...
- Ferne McCann turns to 'best friend' and TOWIE co-star...
- Toys R Us on the brink of collapse: Retailer could...