Voluntary childlessness and social policy: an alternative view.

Abstract

In the last 10 years childlessness in North America has increased. This has been particularly the case among women under 30. Voluntary childlessness should be recognized as a viable alternative to conventional family life, particularly for couples who become parents only as a result of pronatalist pressures. Respected and legitimate childlessness may actually be a desirable life adjustment for individuals confronted with a worsening of the employment situation, a deterioration of their marital relationship, and an intensification of emotional and mental stress as a result of having children. Rather than simply supporting existing pronatalist views, counselors and physicians should be supportive of couples who have consciously chosen to remain childless. Control of fertility should be the right of the individual and should not be under the unlateral control of frequently biased physicians. Contraception and abortion should be available to all and not be subject to marital or parental status. It is also mandatory that there be recognition of the legal right to sterilization of individuals of legal age and with sufficient understanding of the consequences.