Defining Childlessness Among Middle-Aged and Older Americans
A Research Note
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 10967604 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Xiao Xu (0000-0002-9394-2245, Yale University, corresponding author), Jersey Liang (0000-0002-3210-2031, University of Michigan), James M Raymo (0000-0001-6766-685X, Princeton University), Borin Kim (0000-0002-7964-7362, University of New Hampshire), Mary Beth Ofstedal (0000-0002-9395-1168, Institute for Social Research, Survey Research Center and Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA) |
| Year | 2022 |
| Volume | 59 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 813-826 |
| Publication date | 2022-06-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Demography (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0070-3370 • E-ISSN: 1533-7790 |
| Publisher | Duke University Press (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1215/00703370-9987649 |
| PMID | 35546479 |
| OpenAlex | W4280590601 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 27 |
Measuring childlessness is complicated by the increasing complexity of family structure. Using data from the 2014 Health and Retirement Study, in this research note we compared three definitions of childlessness: (1) respondent never fathered/gave birth to a child, (2) respondent had no children who were living and in contact, and (3) respondent and spouse/partner had no children or stepchildren who were living and in contact. Results showed that the prevalence of childlessness among Americans aged 55 or older ranged from 9.2% to 13.6% depending on which definition was used. The association between select individual characteristics (gender and marital status) and the likelihood of childlessness, as well as the association between childlessness and loneliness and living arrangements, also varied depending on how childlessness was defined. Therefore, how we define childlessness can affect our understanding of its prevalence, correlates, and relationships with well-being. Future research on childlessness should carefully consider the choice of definition and its implications for research and policy discussions
Childlessness · Fertility · Geography · Population · Sociology · Demography · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Health disparities and outcomes · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology
In Defense of Parenthood
How Can I Connect With Thee?
A Short Scale for Measuring Loneliness in Large Surveys
Non-Financial Support Provided to Parents in Stepfamilies
Parenthood and Happiness
Parental Marital Disruption, Family Type, and Transfers to Disabled Elderly Parents
The Influence of Family Structure on the Contact Between Older Parents and Their Adult Biological Children and Stepchildren in the Netherlands
Childlessness and Health Among Older Adults
Older Adults Without Close Kin in the United States
Relationships between parents and their adult children
Marriage (Still) Matters
Childlessness and Psychological Well-Being in Context
The revised Ucla Loneliness Scale
Childlessness and Mental Well-Being in a Global Context
Relationships Between Fathers and Adult Children
Childlessness, Parenthood, and Depressive Symptoms Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Health of Aging Parents and Childless Individuals
Characteristics of Older Childless Persons and Parents
Parenthood, Childlessness, and Well-Being
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 3 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |