Abstract
This study explored how individuals that are childfree by choice are impacted by pronatalist messages that they receive. By utilizing a grounded theory approach for this qualitative study, a deeper understanding was gained of the interpersonal experience of individuals that identify as childfree by choice. Pronatalist messages were found to have varying degrees of pressure and escalate as individuals continued to resist their pressure. The negative messages were primarily directed at women and were categorized as hostile. The men were found to receive mostly positive messages that were categorized as persuasive. The sources of the direct messages are through the relationships closest to the childfree individuals which suggest persistent and regular exposure to them. The impact was found to be one of two possible experiences: anxiety or gaslighting. Anxiety was observed through the participants attempting to resist impact by enacting a defensive or avoidant state. Gaslighting was evidenced by participants absorbing impact through internalizing the pronatalist messages and judgements, or by questioning themselves.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Arts, Humanities & Social Science
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
