Social and Emotional Aspects of Voluntary Childlessness in Vasectomized Childless Men

Abstract

SummaryResponses of 44 vasectomized voluntarily childless men and 51 vasectomized fathers were compared on the California Psychological Inventory, the Bowerman Scale of Marital Satisfaction and a questionnaire. The childless felt negatively stereotyped, but there were no differences between the parents and childless on marital satisfaction, reported childhood happiness or level of psychological adjustment. There were differences in modes of adjustment, with the childless seemingly less tied to tradition, more inclined to experiment and showing more capacity for independent thought than the parents. The findings suggested that childlessness may be a viable, healthy lifestyle, not determined by or associated with personal or social pathology.