94. Amrita Vijay on When Platonic Life Partners Have a Child

In this episode of the podcast, Keltie speaks with creative director, producer, musician, and writer, Amrita Vijay, about her decision to have a child with her platonic life partner, Andrew. You'll hear about:

• Why Amrita never wanted kids — and what made her change her mind
• How Amrita and her gay best friend, Andrew, decided to become co-parents
• How her and Andrew's unique relationship allows them to challenge traditional gender roles — and the pressures and expectations that still exist as a straight-presenting "couple" (who aren't actually a couple)
• The importance of questioning societal expectations around marriage and family — and how doing so, can create new ways of having kids and experiencing family
• What Andrew and Amrita's co-parenting relationship entails, and how they're navigating dating, future partners, and living arrangements

(0:46) Meet Amita and her Kids or Childfree decision (12:00)

(15:00) Deciding to have a kid with her platonic life partner

(28:41) Gender norms in parenting in a platonic relationship

(39:49) Legal and logistical framework

(52:04) Navigating outside opinions

(1:05:14) Reflections on parenthood

Mentioned in this episode: Find Amita on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vijayandstephens Her and Andrew's website is: emergencycontacts.substack.com Watch Amrita and Andrew's short film, LOOSELY — inspired by their decision to have kids together, and viewable on a private link here: https://vimeo.com/788430913/bc7f928154 Check out Amrita and Andrew's feature on Storyworth, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS_1ZCkQtJU

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About Amrita: Amrita and Andrew are platonic life partners, artistic co-conspirators, and parents to a good baby. We write, we podcast, we broadcast, we produce, we sing, we create collaborative art onstage and onscreen — and, we reimagine family life as platonic co-parents to our son. All of these things contribute to our central vision, where direct, human connection is at the center. __

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