No future, no kids–no kids, no future?: An exploration of motivations to remain childfree in times of climate change

Type of content
Journal Article
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
en
Date
2021
Authors
Helm S
White SK
Kemper, Joya A.
Abstract

Individuals around the world believe global climate change is a major threat, with media attention and polling suggesting young adults may decide to go childfree as a result. Yet, there is limited research on the link between environmental concern and reproductive attitudes. The purpose of this research was to explore how climate change-related concerns affect reproductive attitudes and motivations to remain childfree. Two studies were conducted: study 1 consisted of a content analysis of reader comments on articles discussing going childfree in response to climate change, and study 2 featured semi-structured interviews conducted in New Zealand and the USA. The impact of future children on the planet, in the context of overpopulation and overconsumption, was a major theme in both studies. Perspectives of doom and hope emerged simultaneously, indicating how climate anxiety influences reproductive attitudes. Study findings point at implications for public policy makers regarding this largely neglected perspective on climate change adaptation and mitigation and potential psychological and societal effects.

Description
Citation
Helm S, Kemper JA, White SK (2021). No future, no kids–no kids, no future?: An exploration of motivations to remain childfree in times of climate change. Population and Environment. 43(1). 108-129.
Keywords
fertility intentions, reproductive attitudes, reproduction, environmental concern, childfree, climate change, overconsumption, overpopulation
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
05 Environmental Sciences
14 Economics
16 Studies in Human Society
Fields of Research::44 - Human society::4403 - Demography::440302 - Fertility
Fields of Research::41 - Environmental sciences::4101 - Climate change impacts and adaptation::410199 - Climate change impacts and adaptation not elsewhere classified
Fields of Research::44 - Human society::4410 - Sociology::441002 - Environmental sociology
Fields of Research::44 - Human society::4410 - Sociology::441009 - Sociology of family and relationships
Fields of Research::38 - Economics::3801 - Applied economics::380105 - Environment and resource economics
Fields of Research::52 - Psychology::5205 - Social and personality psychology::520505 - Social psychology
Rights
All rights reserved unless otherwise stated