Sarah Silverman has attracted both praise and criticism after she tweeted about motherhood and her decision not to have children.

The 46-year-old American comedian took to social media last night to discuss her choice, saying “As a comic always working & on the road I have had to decide between motherhood & living my fullest life & I chose the latter.

“Men don't have to do that. I'd so love to be a fun dad, coming home from the road & being my best fun dad self.

She added that it was impossible to be a woman without making sacrifices, insisting “that’s a fact jack.

“And I ❤ my comedian brothers that acknowledge this truth.  They're my family  & for a lot of us women comic sisters, our only family.”

The comic received some praise for her stance, but one tweet accused her of “mother shaming – implying that women who choose motherhood don’t choose their ‘fullest life’.”

In 2012 Ms Silverman stated that she did not want children because 'I know that I have this depression and that it’s in my family. Every family has their stuff but, for me, I just don’t feel strong enough to see that in a child.'

In 2016 she told Marc Maron on his podcast, WTF: “It's a sadness for me because I love kids. I ache for kids. But I love my life more. You can't have it all; you really can't.”