Journeys to remain childless

Abstract

The goal of this study was to illuminate the processes of how spouses reach an agreement to remain childless, specifically finding out what spouses do, say, and feel in the process using grounded theory methods. This study conceptualized reaching an agreement not to have children as a dyadic process. Based on in-depth conjoint interviews with 20 married couples, 3 decision-making types were identified: mutual early articulator couples, mutual postponer couples, and nonmutual couples. The decision-making processes of voluntarily childless couples included three phases, agreement, acceptance, and closing of the door as well as two driving forces of the process, the strength of conviction and the importance of the relationship. The three types of couples navigated the process differently. The implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed.