EurAsian Journal of BioSciences Eurasia J Biosci 13, 1607-1612 (2019)

Voluntary childlessness as phenomenon of human ecology: is it social responsibility or personal interest?

Ida M. Ilina 1*, Nataliya V. Osipova 2, Elena Yu. Mazhuga 3, Aleksei A. Terenichenko 4, Andrey V. Losyakov 5, Natalia V. Antonova 6, Vitaliy D. Melgunov 7 1 Almetyevsk State Oil Institute, Almetyevsk, RUSSIA 2 Gzhel State University, Elektroizolyator, RUSSIA 3 Jewish University, Moscow, RUSSIA 4 Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow, RUSSIA 5 Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Moscow, RUSSIA 6 Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow, RUSSIA 7 National University of Oil and Gas “Gubkin University” (Gubkin University), Moscow, RUSSIA *Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract The article considers the direction of human ecology as a complex, studying the issues of population development and human interaction with the environment. The relevance of this article is the need to analyze the phenomenon of childfree, which appeared relatively recently, but quickly spreading across the planet. In less than half a century, this movement has managed to gain immense popularity and gain both staunch supporters and ardent opponents. The aim of the research is to study the process of formation of voluntary childlessness principles among students in modern society. The study is based on qualitative methodology. The leading method to the study of this problem is the method of interview, which allows you to identify the causes of childfree, going deep into childhood. The article deals with theoretical and methodological aspects of the phenomenon of voluntary childlessness as a phenomenon of population ecology. Socio-psychological studies of reproductive behavior transformation in students through the prism of the phenomenon of voluntary childlessness are analyzed. The principles of voluntary childlessness among young people are studied. The analysis of interviews with representatives of childfree is carried out. The novelty and originality of the study lies in the fact that the human ecology is considered in a narrow sense of the term and it is shown that the position of voluntary childlessness among students has its roots deep in childhood. It is shown that the lack of attention, children’s psychological trauma-all this is reflected in the reluctance to have children. The main reasons for adopting childlessness are dislike for children, fear of pregnancy and childbirth, imaginary humanism, fear of responsibility, fear of being a bad parent. It is revealed that in interaction with the environment, informants - women are more likely to look for reasons within themselves, and informants - men talk about objective, usually external, reasons. It is revealed that the main reason for the spread of the phenomenon of childfree is a change in value orientations; psychological and economic failure; careerism; children’s psychological trauma. All informants accept foster parenthood, and do not exclude changing their views in the future. The data obtained in the work can be used in family psychology, human ecology, social psychology, pedagogy, age psychology, sociology, as well as for further theoretical development of this issue.

Keywords: human ecology, student youth, childfree, voluntary childlessness

Ilina IM, Osipova NV, Mazhuga EYu, Terenichenko AA, Losyakov AV, Antonova NV, Melgunov VD (2019) Voluntary childlessness as phenomenon of human ecology: is it social responsibility or personal interest?. Eurasia J Biosci 13: 1607-1612.

© 2019 Ilina et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.

INTRODUCTION Pluralism of opinions and freedom of choice, as well as tolerance in society, are openly promoted. However, if a The ecology of population is part of the social person openly shows that he/she thinks differently from ecology, but at the same time, it is wider, including the the majority, he/she is immediately subjected to ecology of man in the narrow sense of the term (with the misunderstanding and disapproval, and the person is dominant of natural factors) (Prokhorov and Revich labeled. Thus, a person who voluntarily renounced 1992). There are natural, demographic, biomedical, having children is perceived by society rather as a psychological, social and hygienic, behavioral, economic and other features of the environment that Received: August 2019 affect people. Currently, society, as a social factor, Accepted: October 2019 carries out quite a strong pressure on the person. Printed: November 2019

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EurAsian Journal of BioSciences 13: 1607-1612 (2019) Ilina et al. deviant in the conditions of social installation on child- biosocial, and social (Arkhangelsky 2005, Borisov 2005, centrism (Bicharova 2013, Kazachikhina 2014, Medkov Ikonnikova 2012, Orlova and Petrovskaya 2013). 2008, Sakhanskaya 2012, Zbarskaya 2004). At different A number of authors understand the need for times some people, for various reasons refused to children as a property (state) of the individual to have continue procreation for several reasons: religious, trouble as a person without the presence of children or ideological, etc. Almost in any religious community, their appropriate number. The need for children is a there is the phenomenon of monasticism or asceticism program of reproductive behavior aimed at obtaining (Kapitsa 2006, Kashina and Yukina 2009, Parsons different types of reproductive resources. 1998, Sangadzhiev et al. 2013, Shtompka 1996, 2005, In their works, modern scholars describe the mutual Vivere 1999). Monks voluntarily deprived themselves of influence of parental instincts and voluntary all worldly pleasures, including family and sexual life, childlessness. A person can up bring and curb instinctive and, as a consequence, procreation. Voluntary aspirations, guided by higher values, through exercise childlessness is an extremely urgent problem today, due he/she is able to develop behavioral skills that rise above to the spread of this phenomenon against the purely instinctive actions. Ten years ago, voluntarily background of low reproduction rates of the population. childless in Russia was not studied, so it is difficult to say Modern scientists are interested in the topic of voluntary how much has changed their number compared to childlessness no less than researchers of the past are. previous years. Nevertheless, according to the census, Thus, Il’yasov (2016) considers the phenomenon of the proportion of childless women aged 40-49 years has childfree through the prism of reproductive behavior. increased significantly over the past ten years. We can Initially, the term reproductive behavior was taken from assume that this is partly provided by the growing biology, where it refers to all behavior aimed at number of childfree. reproduction of the population. It appears that such Today, people refuse to have children for various widespread ontological understanding is applicable in reasons. Someone simply does not like children, is psychology and in sociology. Reproductive behavior is disgusted with infancy; someone has such a lifestyle and the behavior of the subject aimed at biological rhythm that the child simply does not fit into it. (physiological), psychological and social reproduction of Sometimes a person is too selfish to spend time and the population. It is clear that an individual, and the resources on a child. There are also such global reasons family, social group, society as a whole can be as imperfection of the world order or overpopulation of considered as a subject of reproductive behavior. In a the Earth. The reasons and motives can be many, for narrower sense, Il’yasov (2016) describes reproductive each person they are different. However, most of the behavior as “a system of actions and relationships that childfree have one thing in common - voluntary mediate the birth or refusal to give birth to a child of any childlessness in the name of personal freedom. order, in or out of marriage”. The burden of society on a person forces him/her to Reproductive behavior is expressed through a defend his/her position. It is especially difficult for system of reproductive attitudes, a set of women in this regard. Society is more loyal to men in this representations and moods of the subject, indicating its regard - as the main purpose, the society prescribes a readiness (predisposition) to implement certain types of man to achieve material well-being. It is believed that a reproductive behavior. Within the views attitudes contain man should first think about his career. With women, the motifs of reproductive behavior, specifically, motivation situation is different. Almost from the moment of coming or motives, declared causes, which impel the subject to of age, friends, relatives, others begin to overwhelm the commit certain types of reproductive behavior (including woman with questions such as “When will you give the regulation of childbearing and failure from birth of birth?” In society, it is believed that a woman a priori children). Such a reason is the desire of the subject to should want children that this is her main purpose and obtain resources, benefits (physiological, moral, this is her self-realization. Most people do not even admit psychological, social) associated with various types of the idea that a woman may not have the desire to give sex-reproductive behavior or rejection of them (Alisov et birth and raise children. The childfree woman is al. 2018, Cherdymova et al. 2018, 2019, Rybakovsky perceived by society stereotypically as physically or 2011, 2012, Sadovnikova and Timeichuk 2011, morally defective, unhealthy. However, the number of Sorokoumova et al. 2019). women-childfree is much more than men-childfree. Classification of reproductive behavior is closely related to the concept of need for children. The range of MATERIALS AND METHODS understanding of the concept of need for children is The problem field of our study is determined by the surprisingly wide: from the almost mystical (empirically fact that the reasons and motives influencing the not interpreted) interpretation to the denial of the rejection of having children among young people are existence of this need. It is interpreted as biological, poorly described. physiological, psychological, socio-psychological,

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Research problems: 2. Please clarify, did your choice to be childless 1. To describe the conditions in which the formation happen before you became aware of the of the childfree lifestyle takes place: existence of the childfree movement? − To describe childhood, adolescence, the Alternatively, did you learn of the existence of this process of growing of the informant; community and already under its influence have − To analyze the period of life when a person accepted their point of view? first realized him/herself as voluntarily How have your loved ones around you reacted to childless; your choice? − To analyze the events that could affect the 3. Does your partner support this view? choice of the position of being childless. Do you think your position will change in the future? 2. To describe the motives and reasons for the 4. Tell me, please, have you faced condemnation or voluntary abandonment of having children. pressure from society? Informants of the study meet the following criteria: - Final part. The informant gives the word as theorist, conscious representatives of voluntarily childless, self- developing arguments, giving estimates and identifying themselves as Childfree; young people explanations about the events of his/her life. This studying in universities, 16-35 years, both women and theoretical summary concludes the interview. After a men who do not plan to have children. According to the series of interviews, the researcher begins to process described criteria, eight informants were selected. and interpret the material. Since all interviews are The interview allows the informant to rethink his/her necessarily recorded on tape, the stages of data life strategy, which will help to fully identify not only collection and processing are mediated by the superficial, but also deep, hidden personal and social transcription of records. motives and reasons that influence the attitude to bear children and rejection of it. In addition, they are unique RESULTS and diverse, formed throughout life, and to study them Before proceeding to the analysis of the data with the help of classical methodology is difficult task. In obtained-narrative interviews with childfree, we outline other words, the choice of this method is due to the the main provisions of the research reflection. In the uniqueness and depth of the data for the study, as well process of finding informants, there were a number of as the possibility of solving research problems with its difficulties that had to be overcome. First, it is quite help. difficult to find informants. The search was carried out Stages of conducting: the beginning of interview and through social connections of the researcher, as well as the main narrative. The informant is invited to an in thematic groups in social networks of the Internet. interview, but the topic of the conversation is not Many childfree prefer not to advertise their position, and reported in advance. Thus, the informant does not have most of the groups in the network are closed, and get the opportunity to prepare an answer in advance, to there is quite difficult. This is probably because childfree invent or hide any events, and remembers in the course are often subject to misunderstanding and censure by of the story. This increases the veracity of the story, and society. When a person openly declares his/her therefore the reliability of the data. In addition, while the unwillingness to have children, acquaintances load improvised narrative in the memory of the informant him/her with advice, uncomfortable questions, intuitively events emerge that are most important to unnecessary pity. Therefore, it is easier for a person to him/her. The place for the interview is selected based on hide his/her position or remain silent. Second, not the preferences of the informant, subject to several everyone made contact. It is quite difficult for a person conditions: the place should be quiet, calm; third parties to tell the story of his/her life to a stranger, especially should not attend the interview. Compliance with these when the conversation concerns personal topics. Third, conditions is necessary to ensure that nothing interfered there few childfree men. Therefore, the informant-man the interview; the informant and the interviewer would was not immediately found. Besides, with a man to make not be distracted and calmly conduct the interview. contact a bit more complicated than with a woman, as The informant is asked questions about the events by nature men are more secretive than women, with men he/she mentioned earlier in his/her narrative. The it is more difficult to bring the conversation to personal researcher touches on the interrupted lines of the story, topics. obscure places for him/her and offers the informant to Analyzing the childhood period of life, we can divide Supplement or clarify them. the informants into two main categories-people to whom Sample questions at this stage: parents paid much attention in childhood (86%), and 1. Specify at what age you began to think about people who lacked parental attention (14%): “it was a childlessness? Good childhood. A wonderful mother who devoted all What events does this involve? her time to me... My dad is very cool, he loves his children, me, my brother. This is the man who will do

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EurAsian Journal of BioSciences 13: 1607-1612 (2019) Ilina et al. anything for his children.” (Female, 29 years old, the children do not think, because always on mission”. undergraduate, married). “I had very caring parents.” (Male, 27 years old, undergraduate, not married, not in (Female, 22 year, graduate student, not married, not in a relationship). a relationship). “I was not much spoiled as a child” (Female, 20 years old, student, not married, not in a DISCUSSIONS relationship). “I have always been looked after” (Female, Thinking about the causes and motives of childfree, 22 year, graduate student, not married, not in a we can distinguish several types of causation. Reasons relationship). “From an early age I was often left at home (why?) and motives (for what purpose?) informants often alone” (Female, 22 years, student, single, not in a combined in one decisive argument. In addition, it is also relationship). “I could, but I was afraid to be alone, and worth noting that all, without exception, informants have this happened often.” (Female, 21 years old, student, a positive attitude to adoptive parenthood. However, single, in a relationship). “I will never cease to appreciate adoptive parenthood brings with it a number of the merits of my mother. Father, though he worked as a difficulties. All informants note that with a small child, pilot...I felt no lack of attention from him” (Male, 27 years there are many difficulties associated with the infant old, undergraduate, not married, not in a relationship). “I period, and adult children are problematic to take have always been very independent. When I was 11 because of the difficulties of education. As a result, all years old, I had a niece, all the attention was paid to her.” informants are unanimous that the ideal age for adoption (Female, 21 years, student, single, not in a relationship) is the period from two to four years. “I always was in itself”. (Female, 23 years old, Looking to the future, not all informants exclude the undergraduate, single, in a relationship). About youth possibility of changing their position. Today, however, and the maturation process informants talked little. The they are all firmly convinced of their unwillingness to story of their childhood always moved mainly on to have children. thinking about current time. As for the age of the first As a rule, childfree position is rooted deep in realization that a person does not want to have children, childhood. Lack of attention, childhood psychological here everything is more personal, and the boundaries trauma-all this is imprinted on the life path of a person. are very blurred, each person had such thoughts at The main reasons for adopting childlessness are “dislike different ages due to various factors. Three% of the for children”, “fear of pregnancy and childbirth”, informants had the first thoughts about the childlessness “imaginary humanism” (Bicharova 2013), “fear of after a failed pregnancy experience, in the mature age. responsibility”, “fear of being a bad parent”. It is worth It is also possible to distinguish a certain category of noting that female informants tend to look for reasons informants (18%) who have developed a negative within themselves, and the male informant talks about attitude to infancy because they had to take care of objective reasons. All informants accept foster young children. “We went with my parents to nature, I parenthood, and do not rule out changing their views in was thirteen years old then, and I was left with the little the future. children with the words: “You’re the future mother,” I Overall, the study confirmed previous research. really did not want to stay with them, and even more to However, it is also revealed that both lack of parental be responsible.” (Female, 27 years old, graduate attention in childhood and excessive guardianship can student, married) lead to the formation of a position of voluntary A certain category of informants (54%) also feels childlessness. negative towards young children, but associates it with jealousy to parents. “My mother worked as a CONCLUSION kindergarten teacher, and when she walked down the street, children often ran up to her, hugged her...some The phenomenon of voluntary childlessness even called her mom! However, that is my mother! I’ve (childfree) appeared less than half a century ago, but always hated those little snot-nosed creatures.” has already managed to acquire considerable (Female, 22 year, student of, not married, not in popularity. In modern society, views of people regarding relations). More than 20% of informants associate their the family and the birth of children are changing. Thus, dislike of children with their personality traits. «Well...I’m in traditional society, the main purpose of women was squeamish. I cannot stand unpleasant smells; I try to the birth and upbringing of children; the man had to avoid unpleasant sights... And the baby...he/she poops, provide for the family. If people did not have children, and spits up, and the eternal snot-drool...» (Female, 21 they were treated with pity, others considered them years old, student, single, in a relationship). The male unhappy. It never occurred to anyone that a person informant argues his position by way of life: “I did not might not want to have children. Moreover, if people have such a transition period when I gradually grew up openly declared voluntary unwillingness to acquire and began to think about the family. I was a guy, offspring, they were considered mentally ill, society drinking, walking ... And then after school I entered the ridiculed such people. In modern society, people have naval school became serious and responsible...about freedom of choice; society is characterized by tolerance

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EurAsian Journal of BioSciences 13: 1607-1612 (2019) Ilina et al. and pluralism of opinions. If a person does not want to The phenomenon of childfree can be seen as a have children, the public perceives it normally, because conscious unwillingness to procreate, as a type of it is his/her life and his/her personal choice. However, reproductive behavior, as a pathology of the parental the idea of voluntary childlessness appeared a little instinct. earlier. In addition, if now people tend to choose The main reason for the spread of the childfree childlessness as a condition for the existence of phenomenon is the change in value orientations. In personal freedom, the idea was originally conceived as addition, the causes of voluntary childlessness may be a way to prevent overpopulation of the Earth. psychological and economic failure, careerism, and child The phenomenon of childfree today has acquired psychological trauma. To date, the problem of childfree both staunch supporters and ardent opponents. Today, remains poorly understood which attracts more and the topic of childfree is relevant for many reasons. more researchers. To date, there are a number of works Scientists are concerned about the demographic devoted to the study of voluntary childlessness. In most situation in the country and the world, and voluntary cases, research is aimed at studying the social portrait childlessness is directly related to demography. of childfree; however, there are very few works aimed at in-depth study of the life path of voluntarily childless.

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