The Social Meanings of Parenthood

Abstract

Canadian society and social norms are generally pronatalist, proparental. The perceived meanings of parenthood and the nature of parents in Canadian society are compared with the perceived meanings of childlessness and the nature of childlessness. Having children is considered to be so-called "natural" behavior. Parents' masculinity and feminity are proven by their childbearing. Parenthood is also considered to be the meaning of marriage. Even Zero Population Growth members advocate 2-child rather than childless families.