Choice and circumstance: Qualitative insights into contemporary childlessness in Australia

摘要: Using data from in-depth interviews with 115 women, men and couples in eastern Australia for whom family formation was a recent, current or imminent future issue, this article explores contemporary childlessness among those physically able to have children. It differentiates between childless by choice circumstance, other themes highlights (i) the role preservation of lifestyle appears play as motive deliberate following development life course through early adulthood that both generates aspirations often places parenthood on backburner until after age 30, (ii) roles difficulty forming suitable relationships, women’s desire meaningful careers, male involvement decisions bringing about circumstance.