Voluntary childlessness from the perspective of women

Abstract

Married women who choose not to have children transgress feminine norms, since in society, maternal desire and motherhood are the defining features of adult female identity. This qualitative small-scale study investigates the reasons behind this choice and shows the probability that the desire for freedom is greater than the desire for childbearing in this section of Maltese women. The decision to forgo motherhood seems to be more likely to form during marriage and after a period of postponing childbearing. Factors, which influence this decision, are adequacy of partners and the gender roles of society. This study suggests that due to the emancipation of women, equality issues feature highly in the decision of whether to have children or not. It could be that the decision might have differed, had the norms of society included shared responsibilities of childcare between the parents. Women seem to strive for a lifestyle, which is equal and similar to that of men.