Legitimizing the Child-Free Family: The Role of the Family Counselor

Abstract

Counselors aspiring to cultural sensitivity are directed to consider multiple factors, including issues of family values, and to become aware of personal value stances and what implications these values may have for their counseling practice. This article will focus on society’s pronatal biases by exploring the stereotypes ascribed to child-free families, by reviewing the professional literature on these families, and by offering implications for family counseling.