Why do people joke about women getting "clucky"??

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I don't understand why people would joke about this.

For example, say a person is old enough to have a baby, in a stable relationship and is at the stage in their relationship where they will be wanting to have a baby with their husband. But, whenever someone hands them a baby, the other people say "look out, don't let her hold the baby too long, she will get clucky and want one" or say "don't tell her husband she enjoys holding the baby or she will want one".

What is so wrong with a person wanting a baby? and why should she not hold the baby "incase" she gets "clucky"?

And, in the same breath........a person who hasn't had a baby by say 35, people will say "when are you having a baby" "shouldn't you hurry up"

But that same person is teased for holding a baby and then people say "don't let her hold it, she'll get clucky" as if being "clucky" is bad.

It just confuses me so much.

Forgive me for laughing. I'm not laughing at your confusion but rather at the fact that I can understand it.

I think it's just the silly way that some people think they're funny. Joking with you and probably even people's way of trying to start a conversation about how you really feel on the baby subject.

Perhaps even to try and "milk" you for information as to why you haven't had a baby yet.

Don't pay too much attention, that's my advice.

Last edited by luvmyaspie on 02 Jul 2010, 9:56 am, edited 1 time in total.

From my observations once some women decide they want a baby, it seems to be an all-consuming unstoppable desire. And touching and holding a baby can bring this feeling on or 'kick start' it; being 'clucky' is just a name for that particular desire.

What does clucky mean?

I know that in Australia it's slang/colloquial for someone who desperately desires to become a parent either again or for the first time.
Like a clucky mother hen.

Oh, I see. Well, I'm not clucky at all!

My brother started clucking at 15. He's up to 3 and counting now. The phenomenon isn't limited to females, females just get a harder time for it.

I think that clucky, is another word for horny.

It's the way hens cluck when they've laid an egg, and it means what we in the UK also call 'broody'. I.e. stricken with longing for babies.

I've had this from people at work when ex-colleagues have brought babies in. I'm one of those people who loves little kids, but wouldn't want any of my own. The responsibility just scares me, plus I have way too much baggage from the way I was raised. It's kind of hard to explain this to people, though.

It used to be the case that everyone assumed a woman's reproductive life was over when she hit 40, if not before. Now that a fair few women have babies at that age and beyond, I find it seems to be assumed that I (I'm pushing 42) only have to be presented with a mewling infant for my biological clock to be suddenly and belatedly jolted into motion. Nope. I'm perfectly happy being the crazy aunt, thanks.

yep. It just confuses me that a person is teased for following a biological urge that they can't help..........but if they don't follow that urge, then people are worried for them....

Yep. it is confusing.