Choice to be childfree: A study on the narratives of Filipino generation Z young adults opting for voluntary childlessness

Date

6-2023

Degree

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Nancy M. Landicho

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Voluntary childlessness is the decision of individuals not to have children in the present and future. Currently, more individuals are opting to live a childfree life, especially newer generations. In addition, the Philippines, viewed as a pronatalist country, is experiencing a persistent decline in fertility rates. While this is the case, no existing studies in the Philippine setting discuss voluntary childlessness as a phenomenon. Using a narrative research design and a categorical-content analysis, nine participants were interviewed. Significant findings involved the childfree's views on voluntary childlessness and the factors that contributed to the childfree choice: (a) socioeconomic motivations, (b) attitudinal factors, (c) surrounding models, (d) declining quality of life, and (e) individual circumstances. The study also found out that participants, in regards to the reception of their choice, were mostly met with questioning from parents, respect and agreement from family members in the younger generations, such as cousins and siblings, as well as acceptance from peers. When it comes to the openness of their decision, most self-reported to not being open about it online, and most were open with their partners about their choice. Following this research, the study calls for more academic papers on voluntary childlessness in the Philippine setting and looking into other generations, such as Millennials who have stayed childless. Since the study also came up with participants who were all undergoing or have finished tertiary education, future studies may investigate the correlation between educational attainment and the probability of wanting a childfree life. Keywords: voluntary childlessness, childfree, stigma, lived experiences, generation z

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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