Childfree

The term childfree means people who choose not to have children. It includes people who have had sterilisation (surgery such as a vasectomy) to make themselves unable to have children.

The most common reasons for being childfree are:

not liking children
asceticism or religious reasons^[1]
not wanting to become a parent
thinking that wanting to reproduce oneself is narcissistic
not having enough money to take care of children
personal well-being

People may also choose not to have children for ethical reasons, such as antinatalism.^[2] By choosing not to have their own children, childfree people have choices of saving large amounts of money. They can also focus on themselves. They usually benefit society more by being childless rather than having children.^[3]

Being childless was considered unusual in the 1950s. Since then, the number of adults without children has increased.^[4] Many researchers say childfree adults are more educated, less likely to be religious and more likely to live around cities. In the late 2000s to early 2010s, the rate of women in the United States becoming pregnant dropped almost 9%. The birth rate between 2010 and 2013 was the lowest in the country's history.^[5]

Childfree Media

Woman jogging with a dog at Carcavelos beach, Portugal. Some people prefer pets to children. Many single childfree women are quite happy.
An illustration to showcase the brainactivity during REM-sleep.
Some people dislike pregnancy and young children.
Schopenhauer
Reduction of one's carbon footprint for various actions
Alison Brie by Gage Skidmore
John Cena speaking at the 2018 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Bumblebee", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.
Margaret Cho in New York City
Mary J. Blige during an interview in April 2020.