No differences in subjective well-being & limited differences in personality traits between childfree individuals & parents, not-yet-parents, or childless individuals; politically, childfree individuals were more liberal than parents

Neal, Jennifer W., and Zachary Neal. 2021. “Who Are the Childfree?.” PsyArXiv. February 9. doi:10.31234/osf.io/57bjr

Abstract

Objective: This study examines how childfree individuals differ from parents and other types of non-parents in subjective well-being, political ideology, and personality, and examines whether childfree individuals are a stigmatized outgroup.

Background: Childfree individuals choose not to have children. Most research on parental status and psychosocial characteristics has not distinguished childfree individuals from other non-parents or has relied on non-representative samples.

Method: This study uses a representative sample of 981 Michigan adults to estimate the prevalence of childfree individuals. The study also estimates a series of multiple regressions to examine differences between childfree individuals, parents, and other types of non-parents and to examine whether childfree individuals are perceived by others as an outgroup.

Results: Over a quarter of Michigan adults identified as childfree. After controlling for demographic characteristics, we found no differences in subjective well-being and limited differences in personality traits between childfree individuals and parents, not-yet-parents, or childless individuals. However, childfree individuals were more liberal than parents. Additionally, individuals who have or want(ed) children felt substantially less warm toward childfree individuals than childfree individuals felt toward each other.

Conclusions: Given the prevalence of childfree individuals, the risks of their outgroup status, and their potential role in politics as a uniquely liberal group, it is important for demographic research to distinguish the childfree from others and to better understand these individuals.