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Fertility control and the voluntarily childless: an exploratory study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

Elaine Carlisle
Elaine Carlisle
Affiliation:
Department of Social Studies, The Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Irland
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Summary

The widespread availability of effective means of fertility control in many developed countries has made voluntary childlessness a viable alternative to parenthood. Little attention however has been given to the family planning requirements of those who take this minority decision. Data from Scotland suggest that the voluntarily childless have contrasting needs and that usage of and perspectives on contraceptive techniques, sterilization, and abortion depend primarily upon the extent and basis of individual commitment. It is important that those involved in providing family planning services should be aware of the variations in the childless condition and how these might influence individual behaviour in relation to fertility control.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 14 , Issue 2 , April 1982 , pp. 203 - 212
Copyright
Copyright © 1982, Cambridge University Press

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