Childlessness

Why do couples remain childless? For some couples, it is ‘voluntary childlessness”, meaning that couples decide deliberately not to have children For some couples, it is ‘voluntary childlessness”, meaning that couples decide deliberately not to have childrenReasons: Some couples do not want to have a “child- centered” lifestyle

Social Exchange Would explain that couples remain childless because they don’t see the benefits of childbearing as a fair exchange for the time, energy, and money they would have to contribute to raising a child Would explain that couples remain childless because they don’t see the benefits of childbearing as a fair exchange for the time, energy, and money they would have to contribute to raising a child Lifestyles of couples without children very different than those with Lifestyles of couples without children very different than those with

Natural Childlessness Couples who can’t bear their own children through infertility problems of one of the spouses Couples who can’t bear their own children through infertility problems of one of the spouses It is very devastating and frustrating for couples who want to have their own children, but because of medical difficulties, they can’t It is very devastating and frustrating for couples who want to have their own children, but because of medical difficulties, they can’t The whole process of ‘medical intervention’ can be equally as frustrating and devastating The whole process of ‘medical intervention’ can be equally as frustrating and devastating

Adoption Is a route some couples want to take Is a route some couples want to take Most would like to have a newborn, but, the availability of newborns has decreased considerably Most would like to have a newborn, but, the availability of newborns has decreased considerably Most ‘available’ children are older and harder to place Most ‘available’ children are older and harder to place

Attitudes Towards Childbearing “Children are viewed as a source of developmental satisfaction that is accompanied by a set of monetary costs” “Children are viewed as a source of developmental satisfaction that is accompanied by a set of monetary costs” Do you think that this is society's view towards childbearing today? Do you think that this is society's view towards childbearing today?

Intergenerational Concerns What impact is a reduced fertility rate going to have on this generation as it ages? What impact is a reduced fertility rate going to have on this generation as it ages? Are families going to be able to depend on their adult children to care for them in the same ways as has happened in the past? Are families going to be able to depend on their adult children to care for them in the same ways as has happened in the past?

Role of Society The family has handed over many of the functions of the ‘family’ to society The family has handed over many of the functions of the ‘family’ to society Eg. Children are socialized and educated by the school system Eg. Children are socialized and educated by the school system Most children now participate in organized sports and activities Most children now participate in organized sports and activities Children are very influenced by the media – what they view on television has a huge influence on them Children are very influenced by the media – what they view on television has a huge influence on them

Many children are cared for outside the home – day care centers etc Many children are cared for outside the home – day care centers etc -in some cases these ‘outside’ agencies spend more time with children than the parents do -in some cases these ‘outside’ agencies spend more time with children than the parents do How does that affect a child’s development? How does that affect a child’s development? It is said that a child’s moral ‘code’ of living and set of behaviour norms etc is set by the time they are 5 years old It is said that a child’s moral ‘code’ of living and set of behaviour norms etc is set by the time they are 5 years old If they learn these values outside the home, how will that affect their lives as teens and adults? If they learn these values outside the home, how will that affect their lives as teens and adults?

Activity With a partner, read the case study “deciding to have a child” on p. 297 With a partner, read the case study “deciding to have a child” on p. 297 Answer the questions on p. 297 Answer the questions on p. 297 You have 15 minutes to do this You have 15 minutes to do this We will take up the answers then We will take up the answers then