Maybe Baby or Maybe Not: A Research Study

Maybe Baby or Maybe Not: A Research Study Maybe Baby (being a parent) or Maybe Not (Childfree): A Birkbeck University research study about current or future prospects and views about parenthood

To Have or Not to Have Children? Current or Future Prospects and Views about Parenthood

One of the big questions facing people is whether to have children and many countries are facing declining birth rates as more people delay parenthood and have fewer children or decide to remain childfree (1, 2). In the UK, despite a well-publicised rise in the birth rate during the pandemic, the birth rate continues to decline gradually (3) although it is not the lowest in Europe (2). Researchers know a lot about the demographics of parenthood with gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, social class, and age differences all associated with routes into parenthood or remaining childfree. However, little is known about the motivations and psychological well-being associated with having or not having children, considering factors like the pandemic's impact, gender differences, cultural influences, LGBTQPIA+ identity, health, disability, financial stability, housing satisfaction, relationship dynamics, and social support. This research project aims to explore views about having or not having children by exploring attitudes, psychological characteristics, and socio-demographic profiles of adults who might want to have children in the future, those who want to remain childfree, and those who already have children. https://inqueritos.up.pt/6/index.php/149477?lang=en


Sources:
1. by Hannah Ritchie, Edouard Mathieu, Lucas Rodés-Guirao and Marcel Ge**er (2022)
Five key findings from the 2022 UN Population Prospects Our World in Data https://ourworldindata.org/world-population-update-2022 Released July 11, 2022
2. Euronews (2023) Fertility in Europe: Which countries have the highest and lowest numbers of live births per woman? https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/03/17/fertility-in-europe-which-countries-have-the-highest-and-lowest-numbers-of-live-births
3. Office of National Statistics (2023) Births in England and Wales: 2022 Live births and stillbirths annual summary statistics. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths/bulletins/birthsummarytablesenglandandwales/2022 Updated 17 August 2023

The Maybe Baby or Maybe Not research study aims to understand the decision to become, or not to become a parent and ther...
22/04/2024

The Maybe Baby or Maybe Not research study aims to understand the decision to become, or not to become a parent and there is much discussion around egg-freezing from those who are yet to make that decision.

Freddy McConnell has written an interesting article here regarding the misinformation about egg-freezing and testosterone that can be given when transitioning. It's an insightful piece that really highlights the need for ethical, person-centred care when it comes to reproductive health.

We all deserve better from healthcare providers who sell false promise to some, while shutting down options for others, says Freddy McConnell, a freelance journalist

For some people, the decision to have a child is restricted by costs, particularly when it comes to pathways such as IVF...
22/04/2024

For some people, the decision to have a child is restricted by costs, particularly when it comes to pathways such as IVF as a LGBTQI+ prospective parent. With some areas in the UK offering up to 6 funded rounds of IUI (intrauterine insemination) for all couples, and other areas offering nothing for same-sex couples, influencers Whitney and Megan Bacon-Evans are campaigning for equitable access to IVF.

You can read more and find out how to be part of the campaign here:

Photo: Whitney and Megan Bacon-Evans The practical and financial costs that face many LGBTQ+ people who want to have children are unfair and must be challenged. In this article, we explore how improving access to IVF will...

We officially launched the Maybe Baby Maybe Not survey this week at the prestigious Science Museum, during a Science Mus...
12/03/2024

We officially launched the Maybe Baby Maybe Not survey this week at the prestigious Science Museum, during a Science Museum 'Love Lates' event!

Research project lead, Professor Fiona Tasker, led a fascinating talk and was joined by research team members Ify Ikegulu and Harriet Boyle at the event (left and centre of the image, with Professor Tasker on the right).

A great night was had by all and it marked a fantastic start to this exciting research project.

https://www.bbk.ac.uk/news/becoming-a-parent-or-remaining-childfree-new-research-at-birkbeck-investigates-how-people-decide

Some interesting observations on what heterosexual couples can learn from q***r motherhood
11/03/2024

Some interesting observations on what heterosexual couples can learn from q***r motherhood

While heterosexual couples may struggle with traditional gender roles, q***r motherhood offers a radical, beautiful alternative, says Guardian columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett

Some thoughts on being childfree by choice from the writer Ursula Taherian in the LA Times
11/03/2024

Some thoughts on being childfree by choice from the writer Ursula Taherian in the LA Times

The pressure to procreate comes from so many directions I’m considering pitching a “Walking Dead” spinoff where the child free are the living and everyone else are zombies trying to turn us.

We found this an interesting contribution to discussion on being childfree by choice.
06/03/2024

We found this an interesting contribution to discussion on being childfree by choice.

For years, Roland Bull feigned polite interest in other people’s children. But when he witnessed the birth of his sister’s daughter, his world changed

There are many, many books about parenthood, but far fewer about being childfree by choice. This interview with the auth...
06/03/2024

There are many, many books about parenthood, but far fewer about being childfree by choice. This interview with the author Ruby Warrington, who's book 'Women Without Kids' is a recent contribution to the small section of childfree literature, discusses how and why she wrote the book.

In her new book ‘Women Without Kids’, journalist and author Ruby Warrington digs into the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding the childless-by-choice. For Kate Ng, it put her own thoughts into words

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has recently released 2022's fertility figures and the UK Fertility Rate has st...
06/03/2024

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has recently released 2022's fertility figures and the UK Fertility Rate has started to drop again, following the pandemic 'baby boom'.

Annual summary statistics of live births, stillbirths and fertility rates.

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