[View the story "Childfree by choice" on Storify ]Childfree by choice What does nuclear family look like without the kids? The Stream speaks to people who are forgoing parenthood. Storified by The Stream · Mon, Oct 05 2015 16:25:33
A
report released by the Urban Institute earlier this year found that the millennial generation (those born between 1980 and 1995) have been slower to have children than any previous generation. The findings show that decreasing births are partially
related to more couples deciding not to have children. A Pew Research Center report confirms that childlessness
in the US is at historic highs with
1 out of 5 women ending their childbearing years maternity-free. A similar childfree trend is occurring in some European countries with
nearly a quarter of women never giving birth.
Timeinc
With a larger numbers of adults choosing childfree lifestyles, a
2013 study by Open University linked childlessness to
increased happiness among couples.
"Recent studies into the links between... - Families of Two: Childfree and Beyond | Facebook"Recent studies into the links between happiness and the choice not to have children have yielded interesting data showing that childless couples were...
"Generation Babyless has refused to be confined to the stereotypical household definitions."
http://t.co/IiS4JTKMOD #childfreeLaura Carroll
Online comments weighed in on reasons why more adults are choosing childfree lifestyles.
@AJStream #childfreebychoice Lets say there's just too many responsibilities, and adding a child to all that would not be very helpfulVic†or Andrew
#AJstream #childfreebychoice An eroding middle class implies that many families cannot afford to provide for children brought into the world@R@lst0nnnnnnnnnn
Having/raising a kid: $250K+
Current student debt: $155K+
Reason no. 2 why I don't want kids. #ChildfreeChristina Lynn
I refuse to believe that my core purpose for existing is to reproduce #childfreeMarie On A Mission
I like kids, it just didn't happen. It doesn't mean there is something wrong with me or anything to regret. #truth #kidfreeLauren Herschel
The trend of forgoing parenthood is contributing to
falling birthrates in several countries. In recent months there has been a media discussion on whether or not
voluntary childlessness is a valid lifestyle choice. The discussion was triggered by comments made earlier this year by Pope Francis, who described childless by choice couples as "
selfish ".
SBS INSIGHT - Is the choice to not have children a selfish... | FacebookIs the choice to not have children a selfish act? Would you argue that couples who choose to remain childless due to whatever reason (financial, health,...
Several online comments rejected the notion that childfree couples are inherently selfish for their lifestyle.
@AJStream Am I selfish? No. To father children with no intention of raising them would be selfish in the extreme.Exceedingly Unseelie
having children just to take care of you when you're old is infinitely more selfish than choosing not to have kids bc you don't want themcharlotte
Saying people who don't have kids are 'selfish' is so totally missing the point. On an overpopulated planet, it's probably the opposite.Just Frank
On the opposite side of the discussion, other online commenters
disagreed that childfree by choice is a legitimate lifestyle decision.
@AJStream if couples choose to be #childFreeBychoice then they shouldn't longer be called familySadeeq Mustapha Aji
@AJStream By definition of what constitutes the nuclear family, couples w/o children don't fall in line with it.DontReadTheComments
@AJStream it is a wrong idea, because every responsibility person needs to have someone who'll takes care of him when he becomes old.Salihu Abubakar Wara
Despite some
increased acceptance of the childfree lifestyle, there is online discussion on whether a social stigma persists against adults opting out of becoming parents.
@AJStream ; in some cultures; I would say yes. Since childbearing is seen as the main reasons women exist.Ni'ima
@ajstream yes they do & most times are looked at as being selfish if they dont want 2 hv kids.Becky Juna.T
What is your opinion on couples choosing childfree lifestyles? Share your thoughts with us using #AJStream.
