For many of women, having children, alongside settling down with a partner, seems a normal, natural part of life. Without kids, surely life is less fulfilling, somehow incomplete? Isn’t childbearing a part of growing up and developing in the world? Doesn’t being a mother give a sense of “belonging”, and a more profound understanding of the mysteries of life?
Who are the Childfree?
The term childfree or child free (as opposed to childless which implies fertility problems) has been adopted by the growing group of people who choose not to have children, claiming this as a positive lifestyle choice. The voluntary childfree are a very varied group of people, many of whom are entirely comfortable with their life without children. There are teachers, business people, people who do voluntary work and people who don’t work, truly people from all walks of life. Within this wide range a curious pattern may be found: according to data published by the UK National Statistics office; women born just before 1960 are less likely to have had children if they are degree-educated.
Research Shows Increasing Trend to be Childfree
While undoubtedly parenthood is a source of joy to many, studies have revealed discontentment among some parents, a discontentment which is rarely discussed.
- A report from the London School of Economics revealed that 12 per cent of women and six per cent of men among the British 42-year-olds asked were reluctant or regretful parents.
- According to research at Arizona State University, most marriages become less happy following the birth of the first child, and do not return to the original level of happiness until the youngest child reaches 18.
- One in five women in modern societies does not give birth; a third of British women are undecided whether or not to have children at age 30. Since infertility affects only two to three percent of women, many of these women are “childfree by choice”, indeed 12% of British women have decided not to have children by the age of 30.
Pressure on Women to Have Children
Despite the increasing numbers of voluntarily child free women, many face enormous pressure about their choice. Many feel excluded as friends, family and colleagues focus on their children. This childfree woman’s reaction is typical, “Sometimes being ‘different’ is tough... sometimes I've thought that if I could just have a typical life and want kids, things would be easier. But I know that sort of life would make me miserable.”
Related Articles
- Childfree Interviews: Women Speak of Choosing Not to Have Children
- Fence Sitting Over Parenthood: Considering a Childfree Life
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