"I believe one of the pernicious lies that has been told to your generation is that one can have it all," Chicago cautioned. In looking to history, Chicago recalled, "those women who had achieved at the level at which I set my sights had been childless and those that were not had suffered constant guilt Although I would be the first to say that this situation is not a fair one I believe it is important to be clear about your goals and be willing to shape your life in a way that makes them possible to achieve."--Judy Chicago to the Smith College Graduating Class of 2000

I've also known a number of male artists who, being very good fathers and husbands, did not achieve the levels they might have been able to had they been childless free spirits.

It's not women alone who have to choose childlessness. Some men have to choose it, too.

and a whole bunch of very successful male artists--Andy Warhol, Michelangelo--were gay, and thus, childless.

So why do so many women believe that they can have it all when even a lot of men can't?