Results: Childless By Choice
Published on 09/20/2017
QUESTIONS
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Comments
1.
1.
Childlessness is a trend soaring across all racial and ethnic groups, with women as young as 15 knowing that kids will not be a factor in their future. Looking at the statistics, it's clearly a trend that is gaining in momentum. In 1970's, only one in ten women remained childless. Today the number is one in five. Of course there is a big difference between childless by choice and childless by circumstance. This survey deals with childless by choice. If you are a woman, are you, or have you decided to remain childless by choice?
No, I have children
45%
885 votes
No, I am childless by circumstance
8%
160 votes
Yes, childless by choice
17%
333 votes
Not sure yet...
8%
163 votes
Does not apply to me/male
22%
433 votes
2.
2.
Here are some interesting statistics about women (and couples) who chose to remain childless by choice. Did you know any of these prior to this survey?
Among women of reproductive age in the United States, more than 60 percent currently use some form of contraception. Within that group, 36 percent turn to permanent methods: male sterilization (i.e. vasectomy), or, more frequently, female sterilization,
12%
233 votes
Research from the United Kingdom's Open University reveals that childless married and unmarried couples reported being more satisfied in life and feeling more valued by their partners than did pairs with kids.
11%
223 votes
Research emerging from the London School of Economics reveals that the more intelligent women are, the weaker their maternal urges. With an unprecedented 71% of females attaining higher education, this represents a huge shift towards the "no thanks to motherhood" model.
8%
159 votes
Denmark's birthrate is in such a steep decline, a local travel company ran an ad campaign urging couples to "Do It For Denmark," to go on romantic weekends at hotels with discounted rates and make some babies.
6%
116 votes
None
75%
1479 votes
3.
3.
Some young women are so sure they do not want children that they are turning to permanent sterilization methods to ensure they do not get pregnant. For women who are at their peak fertility, yet certain they do not want babies of their own -- finding a doctor to perform sterilization can be challenging, even impossible. How much responsibility do health care providers bear when it comes to guiding young women through contraceptive decisions with lasting effects that aren't, in many cases, medical at all?
It should be the woman's choice only and hers alone -- the medical professional should defer to her choice
34%
680 votes
The medical professional should be able to refuse to do this procedure until the woman is at least 35 years old (or an arbitrary age around then)
10%
191 votes
It should be done through a series of appointments, and the decision made by both parties
14%
282 votes
Not sure
40%
798 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
23 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.61% | 12 | |
| na | 0.15% | 3 |
| tldr | 0.05% | 1 |
| it is the woman's choice and her's alone, but the doctor and her should go over the procedure and its effects thoroughly since it is a permanent surgery with no room for regrets | 0.05% | 1 |
| It should be the woman's choice, but the medical professional should make certain this is what she wants. | 0.05% | 1 |
| none | 0.05% | 1 |
| Some medical professionals will be willing to do the procedure, which just needs to be available and done safely for those women who really desire that. | 0.05% | 1 |
| medical doctors should discourage birth control | 0.05% | 1 |
| I don't give a shit one way or the other. | 0.05% | 1 |
| Doctor should decide whether or not they personally feel comfortable doing the procedure. | 0.05% | 1 |
4.
4.
If you are childless by choice, and are constantly hearing these same arguments about why you should have children, which of these arguments have you heard (and here are some comebacks you can use)?
You'll regret it when you're old -- right, do you regret HAVING children now that you're old?
9%
178 votes
You'll never be a complete woman -- please, I do not even want to go there...
5%
92 votes
You'll never know unconditional love - sure I will, from my dog or cat, plus how can you say that your teen loves you UNCONDITIONALLY!
6%
115 votes
You'll be missing out -- on what exactly? Years of bills, stress, lack of money, traveling all over the world...you yell me!
7%
145 votes
You'll change your mind one day -- so, if I do I'll adopt, but what if you change your mind about wanting kids?
7%
141 votes
Who will take care of you when you're old -- right, now that's a guarantee, and a great reason for having kids!
7%
144 votes
It's different when they are your own children -- I do not feel the need to recreate another "me", and yes, I know it will be different- these ones I cannot return to their parents after an hour or so, or when they start to get cranky
6%
111 votes
I've heard all of them
13%
266 votes
Does not apply to me
67%
1331 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
26 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.55% | 14 | |
| tldr | 0.04% | 1 |
| n/a I am a Mom | 0.04% | 1 |
| None of the above, no one has ever thought they had to argue with me about my choice | 0.04% | 1 |
| My wife and i have five grown children and proud of them. | 0.04% | 1 |
| Who will carry on the family lineage | 0.04% | 1 |
| na | 0.04% | 1 |
| have heard the opposite saying I am smart for not having kids | 0.04% | 1 |
| I'm less of a woman | 0.04% | 1 |
| I don't care what other people say or think, I am my own person. | 0.04% | 1 |
| I've not had any negative comments about my choice. | 0.04% | 1 |
| Dad told me he just couldn't imagine never having had kids. | 0.04% | 1 |
| You're too immature to get married if you don't want kids. I feel sorry for you, something terrible must have happened to make you like this. If you've been married 10 years and have no kids you have major problems in your relationship | 0.04% | 1 |
COMMENTS