Here’s how Selena Gomez’s fertility revelation can empower young Latinas to open up about their reproductive choices.

Gone are the days when having a family was the centerpiece of a woman’s life. Women today are much more than just their role as mothers or wives. Thanks to influential Latina public figures like Selena Gomez, the conversation around these topics is finally making waves in the media.

It’s no secret that having a child changes your life, a life-altering experience that many Latin families cherish. However, it’s a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Gomez, a Mexican-American pop star who’s been on screen since the early 2000s, recently shared her personal fertility journey in an interview. While she certainly doesn’t owe us her intimacy, her openness can spark meaningful conversations in our households.

Here’s what Gomez had to say about her future as a mother.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Gomez discussed motherhood and the reality of her future. “I haven’t ever said this,” she revealed, “but I unfortunately can’t carry my own children. I have a lot of medical issues that would put my life and the baby’s in jeopardy. That was something I had to grieve for a while.”

Despite the emotional weight of her words, Vanity Fair reported that Gomez was not sentimental about her future as a parent. “It’s not necessarily the way I envisioned it,” she said. “I thought it would happen the way it does for everyone. [But] I’m in a much better place with that. I feel blessed that there are wonderful people who are willing to help through surrogacy or adoption, which are both real possibilities for me. It made me really grateful for other avenues for people who want to be moms. I’m one of those people. I’m excited for what that journey will look like, even if it’ll be a little different. At the end of the day, I don’t care. It’ll be mine. It’ll be my baby.”

How Her Openness Can Inspire the Next Generation of Latinas

Young Latinas need to understand that their mother’s or grandmother’s reproductive story is not necessarily their own. There’s much more to navigate today, and in these economic times, having children feels more like a bonus than a necessity. Can we even afford to have them? (But that’s a conversation for another time.)

Gomez’s revelation can empower young Latinas to make their own reproductive choices. It encourages them to reflect deeply on whether they want to have children and what comes with the pregnancy journey. It’s not just about the ability to get pregnant—there’s so much more in the space between that we often don’t discuss.

While having children is common, women must understand that it’s not the only path in life. It’s not the end goal. If Latinas can’t or don’t want to carry children, they have every right to follow their path without judgment, unsolicited comments, or the need to explain themselves.

I hope that the next generation of Latinas won’t feel the need to tiptoe around the topic of children. I hope they’ll have the strength of those who came before them to speak their truth.