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Chapter 1 - Contemplating Parenthood

Why Children?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 November 2022

Catherine McMahon
Catherine McMahon
Affiliation:
Macquarie University, Sydney
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Summary

Fertility is falling across the developed world. This chapter sets the stage by exploring biological, social, and cultural imperatives and individual psychological motivations to parent, including differences in the longing for a child, (so called ‘baby-lust’), and decisions to remain childfree. The psychological impact of involuntary childlessness (infertility) is a particular focus. Recent demographic changes in developed countries (delayed first birth, fewer children) are considered. The chapter concludes with an overview of the contemporary contexts for becoming a parent to be addressed in different chapters of the book, including illustrative case stories.

Keywords

InfertilityUnintended pregnanciesChildbearing choicesInvoluntary childlessnessChildfree
Type
Chapter
Information
Becoming a Parent
Contemporary Contexts and Challenges during the Transition to Parenthood
 , pp. 1 - 18
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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