Currently around one in five German women do not have children: for many of them this is a deliberate decision. Respondents could choose several reasons why they became childless. The results showed that these girls, first of all, want to have more free time (82%) and not miss the opportunity for self-realization (80%). These are the main arguments against family life. At the same time, the presence of a partner does not play a big role, as does the age of the women interviewed. But negative experiences in childhood and the fear of childbirth itself, as well as the anxiety of reconciling family and career, influence this decision. Among the reasons, interviewees cited doubts about becoming good parents. Now a scientific team is studying German men: how they perceive fatherhood and what determines their desire to have a child. DW spoke to studio head Claudia Ranfeld.
DW: What was the study’s most surprising finding?
Claudia Ranfeld: There are several of them at once. First of all, women already at an early age (more than 40% of those interviewed in a childless position responded that even before the age of 18 they knew that they would not have children. – Ord.) make the conscious and definitive decision not to have children. And in society this is not accepted, but rather rejected: to put it simply, women are not applauded when they declare so early that they do not want children.
– Based on the results, the decision to have or not to have children for German women it doesn’t depend on having a partner: judging by your research, 80% of childless women are in a relationship and are satisfied with a childless relationship. Did you expect such a result?
– No, this is also a surprise, because it does not completely correspond to the idea of German society about childless women. It turns out that they decide for themselves and regardless of whether they have resources, money or a partner. Before this study, the picture was different.
– Are the data different in western and eastern Germany?
– In the east of the country there are fewer women without children, this is due to the socialist experience: children were born automatically, because it was easier to reconcile family and work. This is in contrast to the former West German model: if a woman has a child, she stays at home and effectively gives up her career.
– Is there a difference between large and small cities?
– Yes, for example Hamburg is the city with the highest percentage (29% of Hamburg residents have no children - Ord.) women without children, which is explained by emancipated attitudes. Those who voluntarily give up the possibility of having a child find fulfillment in other areas. This is easier in big cities than in villages.
– When the first results of your study came out in 2022, many German media reported on it. This was followed by offensive comments and statements from large family organizations that such publications could have a negative impact on society. How can you explain it?
– I have a hypothesis, which I cannot confirm scientifically: people with different values think they are attacked in this way. Family life, and especially family life with children, is too idealized. Those who pursue this ideal suddenly begin to be told that they can live differently. Furthermore, it is a public problem made invisible: the birth rate in Germany is decreasing, and the debate on the pension system (pensioners live on the contributions of those who are still working. – Ord.) are warming up. The device needs to be reinvented, but the girls themselves at such a young age refuse the possibility of having children. People get angry when such decisions are made individually. The awareness that without children you can be more independent and build a career determines this choice.
It must be said that inequality between men and women remains colossal, especially when it comes to children. The birth of a child, from a sociological point of view, has no impact on a man’s life in any way, while for a woman everything is reversed. The generation of women now retiring could somehow cope with children and work, but it is becoming increasingly difficult and now we see the results.
– It seems like this is the main choice in life for women, can the same really be said about Germany?
– Yes, women are still characterized by this aspect. A girl who is building a career is still asked from time to time if she thinks about children. While a man’s status is less determined by relationships, family life and the presence of a child. This is inequality.
– Now you have started studying childless men, are there already the first results?
“Rather, we explore fatherhood and how men develop the desire to have a child. This includes the childless aspect. We already have some data from one generation, but it is too early to draw conclusions: we want to study the attitude towards fatherhood among different generations of men in Germany.
– In Russia the so-called “childless movement” has been legally prohibited. From a sociological point of view, can women not wanting to have children be called a movement?
– In fact, in several countries there are women who do not have children for various ideological reasons, for example for environmental reasons. But calling it an organized community is really strange. Even if such a movement existed, this ban constitutes an absolute violation of women’s rights. It is impossible to enter into a woman’s life more than to impose on her the desire to have a child.
How do societal attitudes towards motherhood differ between urban and rural regions in Germany?
Time.news Interview: The Evolution of Parenthood Decisions in Germany
Editor: Good morning, Claudia. Thank you for joining us today to discuss your recent study on childlessness among German women and the factors influencing their decisions. Your research yielded some compelling insights.
Claudia Ranfeld: Good morning, and thank you for having me. I’m excited to share what we’ve discovered!
Editor: To start, one in five German women are currently childless, and many have made this decision consciously. What were some of the most surprising findings from your research?
Claudia: One of the most striking revelations is that over 40% of women who currently are childless knew even before the age of 18 that they would not have children. This deliberate choice is often met with societal rejection, as women face stigma for opting out of traditional family roles at such a young age.
Editor: That’s fascinating. It seems like a cultural conversation is necessary here. Your study also found that having a partner does not significantly influence a woman’s decision to remain childless. Was this unexpected?
Claudia: Absolutely. It challenges the conventional belief that motherhood is inherently linked to relationship status. In fact, 80% of the women surveyed who are childless are in fulfilling relationships without children. This suggests that women are prioritizing their personal aspirations and happiness over societal norms.
Editor: Speaking of societal norms, did your research uncover differences between eastern and western Germany in terms of childlessness?
Claudia: Yes, there are notable differences. In the east, fewer women are childless, partially due to historical influences from the socialist era, which made balancing work and family easier. In contrast, the western model often requires a woman to step back from her career if she has children, leading to different societal pressures and choices.
Editor: It’s interesting how history shapes personal choices today. What about urban versus rural dynamics? Is there a difference in the childlessness trend between big cities and small towns?
Claudia: Definitely. For instance, Hamburg has the highest percentage of childless women at 29%. Urban environments tend to foster more emancipated attitudes, and women often find fulfillment through avenues other than motherhood. In contrast, those in rural communities might feel greater pressure to conform to traditional family roles.
Editor: When the initial results of your study were published, they seemingly sparked a mixed reaction from the public and family organizations. Some viewed it negatively. How do you interpret that backlash?
Claudia: I believe some people feel threatened by the notion that family life—particularly with children—can be willingly set aside. It challenges deeply ingrained values. The decrease in birth rates and its implications for the pension system are also hot-button issues, heightening emotions about these discussions. Individual choices are often perceived as societal problems.
Editor: That makes sense. We live in a time where personal autonomy clashes with traditional expectations. You mentioned that inequalities still persist between men and women regarding parenthood. Can you elaborate on that?
Claudia: Certainly. The sociological impact of having a child disproportionately affects women. For men, it often does not alter life significantly, while for women, the birth of a child can change their career trajectory and personal freedom dramatically. This disparity continues to shape family dynamics and personal decisions.
Editor: Claudia, this has been an insightful discussion. It’s clear that the decision to have or not have children is influenced by a complex interplay of personal, societal, and historical factors. What do you see as the future of these dynamics in Germany?
Claudia: As awareness of individual choices grows, I hope we can foster a dialogue that embraces diverse lifestyles without judgment. Understanding and acceptance are key, especially as societal structures change to reflect this new reality.
Editor: Thank you, Claudia, for your valuable insights. It’s essential we continue to explore these topics and contribute to a more inclusive conversation about family and personal choices.
Claudia: Thank you for having me! I look forward to seeing how these conversations evolve.