A Framework for Studying Adults who Neither have Nor Want Children

Abstract

The population of adults who neither have nor want children is large and growing. However, it remains poorly understood because its members can be difficult to identify in traditional demographic surveys, and existing research on the population uses a range of methods and terms. In this paper, we review current practices, then to bring a level of consistency and comparability to this literature, we propose a common framework for studying this population. First, we recommend that researchers use the term “childfree” to describe adults who neither have nor want children, because the term is short, widely used, and preferred by members of this population. Second, we recommend that researchers define childfree adults by neither having nor wanting biological or nonbiological children, recognizing that one’s childfree status may change over time. Third, we recommend that researchers identify childfree adults in surveys using “want” questions (e.g., do you want children?), in combination with other questions.

Sample, time, and wording effects on estimating the prevalence of childfree adults: Insights from Japan

“…In contrast, we find that surveys asking ideal questions yield prevalence estimates that are not statistically significantly different from surveys asking want questions ( OR = 1.125, p = 0.397). This is consistent with expectations that ‘expect’ type questions could yield overestimates by conflating childfree and childless respondents, and that ‘want’ or ‘ideal’ type questions yield more accurate estimates of prevalence [ 1 ].…”

“…Following data extraction, we used the WIDE (want, ideal, direct, expect) framework to uniquely classify each survey question wording used to identify childfree respondents (see Table 1 ) [ 1 ]. First, we classified survey questions containing 欲, ほ, or 望 as ‘want’ type question wordings.…”

“…Third, the estimated prevalence of childfree adults may vary by what questions are asked. The WIDE typology to describe the different question wordings that can be used to identify childfree individuals [ 1 ]. First, want questions ask respondents whether they want or desire children.…”

Stereotypes About Childfree Adults (SAChA)

“… Popular media (e.g., Sandler & Witteman, 2013) and scholarly research (e.g., Z. P. Neal & Neal, 2024) have recognized the existence of childfree adults, who do not want children and voluntarily opt out of parenthood.…”

“…Popular media (e.g., Sandler & Witteman, 2013) and scholarly research (e.g., Z. P. Neal & Neal, 2024) have recognized the existence of childfree adults, who do not want children and voluntarily opt out of parenthood. Within the broader psychology literature on attitudes, stereotypes, and prejudices (for an overview, see Dovidio, Hewstone, Glick, & Esses, 2010), a growing body of research has emerged that focuses specifically on childfree adults.…”