Pronatalism: the myth of mom and apple pie.

Abstract

The writings selected for this anthology present the view that America is a pronatalist society. The pressures toward the universal ideal of parenthood are often indirect social forces. Serious biases often economic exist against those who choose not to have children not to marry not to follow the ideal. This pronatalist pressure limits free choice. Many people would prefer not to be parents and many would not make good parents. Pronatalism denies the new ethic of the self-determination of women. Not all motives for parenthood are admirable or rational. Parenthood has effects on the personality and individuality of the parents. There is today emerging a child free by choice life style as an alternative to the universal parenthood ideal. In America approximately 4% of adults are childless by choice.