2016
DOI: 10.1177/1066480716648676
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“There’s More Thinking to Decide”

Abstract: The processes by which women and men decide not to have or rear children are lengthy and complex. Analysis of data from qualitative interviews with 21 women and 10 men reveals two primary themes in adults' descriptions of their decision not to have children: (1) that the decision was a decidedly conscious decision and (2) that the decision occurred as a process as opposed to a singular event. The features of these two themes are considered, as are their gendered dimensions and social and practical implications. Show more

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Cited by 23 publications
(17 citation statements)
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References 28 publications
(44 reference statements)
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“…It is important to social work and other clinical practice that the differences in the lives of childfree women are understood and respected. Just as practitioners are educated and trained on differences on the basis of race, sexuality, and gender, the differences between a mother and a woman who is not a mother are important to ensuring that clients feeling valued and bonded to their therapist (Blackstone & Stewart, 2016; Gold, 2012). Stigma is something that is present in society, but it is not something that should be present in this relationship; the only way to prevent this stigma—the various assumptions related and pain induced—is through knowledge of the different life experiences of childfree women and understanding of each individual childfree client (Goffman, 1963).…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…It is important to social work and other clinical practice that the differences in the lives of childfree women are understood and respected. Just as practitioners are educated and trained on differences on the basis of race, sexuality, and gender, the differences between a mother and a woman who is not a mother are important to ensuring that clients feeling valued and bonded to their therapist (Blackstone & Stewart, 2016; Gold, 2012). Stigma is something that is present in society, but it is not something that should be present in this relationship; the only way to prevent this stigma—the various assumptions related and pain induced—is through knowledge of the different life experiences of childfree women and understanding of each individual childfree client (Goffman, 1963).…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…This is evident in the nervousness expressed by some of the participants in relationships when broaching the topic. However, it is possible, as Blackstone and Stewart (2016) found in men and women, that the decision to remain childless has occurred, for some, as a process over time internally and the discussion is merely a verbal expression of the agreement.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Also important to psychological well-being is the quality of a couple's communication when making decisions about procreation (Bodin, Stern, Folkmarson Käll, Tydén, & Larsson, 2015). Past research suggests that the dyadic decision-making process for couples is fluid, occurs over time, and is shaped by a myriad of motivating factors (Blackstone & Stewart, 2016;Shaw, 2011). Reported motives for men, women, and couples to not have children include an unwillingness to take on parental responsibility, selfishness, feeling unsuited to the role, and an aversion to the perceived lifestyle change or loss of freedom (Carmichael & Whittaker, 2007;Terry & Braun, 2012).…”
mentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Pathways to the decision consistently expose an innate fluidity (Shaw, 2011). Notably, the choice does not herald a onetime event, but an ongoing process that develops and unfolds over the life span (Blackstone & Stewart, 2016). Intentionally childless women assess and "psychologically rework" (DeLyser, 2012, p. 66) the decision at multiple points over the lifetime, including after menopause.…”
Section: The Decision As a Lifelong Processmentioning
confidence: 99%