Voluntary childlessness in a society reluctant to change

Dados Bibliográficos

ID12911792
AutoresHector Mauricio Rojas Betancur (0000-0003-0569-8236, Industrial University of Santander, autor correspondente), Andrea Hernández-Quirama (0000-0003-1955-0566, Industrial University of Santander), Carolina Rivero-Rubio (0000-0002-5508-4286, Industrial University of Santander)
Ano2022
Volume17
Fascículo2
Data de publicação2022-09-04
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSociology Compass (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1751-9020 • E-ISSN: 1751-9020
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/soc4.13040
OpenAlexW4294605296
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas2
Referências citadas15

Voluntary childlessness constitutes a social and generational rupture from tradition and culture, with significant effects on the reproduction of the so‐called life and family cycle. This study aims at understanding the reasons why people decide to remain childless and the social pressures that this decision generates. A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted on the emerging decision of non‐motherhood and non‐fatherhood based on semi‐structured interviews with 56 people who autonomously made the decision to opt out of parenthood. This paper underscores the multiple biographical situations involved in the decision, in addition to the concerns about personal development and future. The current social crisis context serves as a means of justification to lessen social and family pressure. We conclude that people who have made this decision promote a different meaning from that of reproduction as a mechanism of the social order

Biology · Childlessness · Context (archaeology · Environmental ethics · Fertility · Meaning (existential · Population · Qualitative research · Reproduction · Social science · Sociology · Demography · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Gender Studies · Health disparities and outcomes · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Psychology · Social Psychology