Page 9 - IJPS-7-2

International Journal of
Population Studies A theoretical review of childlessness

age of marriage. Considering that total fertility in this options and arrangements, it has also deteriorated labor
period was basically composed of marital fertility, higher conditions, enhanced unemployment, and increased
levels of childlessness emerged (Kreyenfeld & Konietzka, inequality, especially among the less skilled (Slaughter &
2017). Similarly, in the United States, there are estimates Swagel, 1997). The uncertainty and stability stemming
that 25% of cohorts born between the end of the 19 from these processes, particularly in times of economic
th
century and the beginning of the 1920s were childless stagnation, has a negative outcome in fertility, increasing,
(Kreyenfeld & Konietzka, 2017). Rowland (1998) argues therefore, childlessness (accordingly, the Uncertainty
that childlessness among these cohorts is closely related Theory discusses in Subsection 2.2 some explanations for
to the socioeconomic period that characterized the post- childlessness).
Great Depression, from the end of the 1920s. Another Other authors discuss these socioeconomic factors that
factor that may have contributed is the sudden drop in the contribute to the increase in childlessness through a closer
sex ratio resulting from the Second World War. Thereafter, relationship with fertility postponement. To achieve these
the cohorts of women born between the late 1930s and advances, such as higher education and consolidation in the
the 1940s entered their reproductive period in a period labor market, women continually postpone the transition
known as the “Golden Age of Marriage,” and childlessness to their first child. As they act in this way, the possibility
decreased (Festy, 1980). It rose again afterward, especially of indecision in becoming mother increases. That is,
among cohorts born after the 1960s. Poston & Trent (1982) initially, women postpone until they achieve a certain goal,
characterize this childlessness trend as a U-shaped curve, but gradually, they can adapt themselves to childlessness,
that is, high levels at the beginning of the 20 century and eventually, no longer be interested in motherhood.
th
followed by a fall toward the mid of the century and a In addition to this, it is known that women’s fecundity is
subsequent increase to the current high levels. inversely proportional to age, so fertility postponement can

Some authors understand that social and economic lead to an impossibility of achieving reproductive desires
aspects are the most important for the emergence of the (Miettinen et al., 2015; Nicoletti & Tanturri, 2008; Tanturri
current context of increasing levels of childlessness. For et al., 2015). Accordingly, Tocchioni (2018) focuses on the
example, the wide transformations that took place in the couple’s relationship to explain childlessness. Late unions,
second half of the 20 century, when the availability of for example, could again postpone the birth of a first child,
th
contraceptive methods and the greater participation of and eventually, considering the age of the union together
women in the labor market expanded the range of options with the decreasing fecundity levels and changes in
offered to women, who no longer saw motherhood as a fertility intentions, a person may end up childless. Another
unique or main alternative. In parallel, the educational associated element is the interruption of the relationship,
systems expanded, which also contributed to increasing which can lead to the dissolution of previously made
the levels of empowerment and wages among women reproductive plans. Miettinen et al. (2015) also emphasize
(Agrillo & Nelini, 2008; Frejka, 2017; Livingston & Cohn, the lack of a partner, considering difficulties in finding
2010). On top of that, globalization and digitalization not a suitable one. Given the strong association between
only accelerated these socioeconomic advances, but also partnership and childbearing (as discussed in Section 3),
facilitated communication and dissemination of different involuntary singlehood could also lead to childlessness.
thinking, ideals, and norms, including those that value, Finally, the lack of understanding between both parties of
to a greater extent, smaller families and childlessness. the couple regarding the ideal family size is also another
Increasing cohabitation and individualization, for instance, important aspect of the increasing childlessness (Miettinen
are two important outcomes (closely correlated to the et al., 2015).
Second Demographic Transition discussed in more detail Therefore, acting together with different socioeconomic
in Subsection 2.2) coming from this context of continuous aspects, fertility postponement, as a biological constraint,
socioeconomic advances and globalization that contributes becomes another important factor in the explanation of
to increasing childlessness (Lesthaeghe, 2010; Tanturri childlessness. The quantity and quality of women’s eggs
et al., 2015; Zaidi & Morgan, 2017). diminish with increasing age. Moreover, poor-quality
In addition to these advances, other socioeconomic eggs in younger women could also cause childlessness.
aspects such as contexts of instability and economic Additional biological reasons for childlessness (among
stagnation can also lead to increased levels of childlessness women) include blocked fallopian tubes, abnormal
(Frejka, 2017). Furthermore, uncertainty and globalization, menstruation, and other medical conditions such as
for example, can be thought together when it comes to disorders of the ovaries and the endocrine system, and
explaining low fertility and childlessness. If globalization, uterine problems (Ford et al., 2000; WHO, 2020). Other
on the one hand, has provided an enlargement of working risk factors for childlessness are derivative from a mix of

Volume 7 Issue 2 (2021) 3 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.v7i2.352