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Cited by 198Family Dynamics and RelationshipsReproductive Health and ContraceptionGender, Labor, and Family Dynamics

Childless or Childfree? Paths to Voluntary Childlessness in Italy

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Tanturri, Maria Letizia, Mencarini, Letizia·2008·Population and Development Review
DOI 10.1111/j.1728-4457.2008.00205.x
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Abstract

This article investigates childlessness in Italy. Trends in childlessness are presented and compared with trends elsewhere in Europe. Different paths to childlessness are outlined, using data from a survey carried out among childless women aged 40‐44 in five Italian cities in 2002. Individual characteristics of the childless and reasons for childlessness are investigated. As many as one‐third of the interviewees who live with a partner and do not suffer from any physical impediment are voluntarily childless. These women, in contrast to mothers, appear to be less religious and to have partners who are less religious; they tend to come from smaller families; to have been in a nonmarital cohabitation at least once in life; to have entered their first union later; and to have had, in the initial period of their union, temporary work and flexible work schedules and limited leisure time. In other cases, childlessness is the unintended outcome of a decision to delay having a child or the result of adverse external circumstances, particularly dissolution of partnership.

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Authors
Tanturri, M. L., & Mencarini, L.
Affiliations
  • University of Pavia (IT)
  • University of Turin (IT)
ORCID
Venue
Population and Development Review
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2008-03
Volume
34
Issue
1
Pages
51-77
ISSN
  • 0098-7921 (ISSN-L)
  • 1728-4457
DOI
10.1111/j.1728-4457.2008.00205.x
OpenAlex
W2149309248
Cited by
198
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 6
FWCI
12.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 17 d)
Locations
  • Population and Development Review (publishedVersion)
  • Padua Research Archive (University of Padova) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Reproductive Health and Contraception
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics
Keywords
voluntary childlessness, childfree, childlessness, childless women, religious affiliation, unmarried cohabitation, delayed childbearing, partnership dissolution, work-family balance, Italy

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