social phenomenon, which has become the subject of this article, is developing in Russia and other CIS countries since the late 90's - early 2000s.It has a mixed assessment among people unfamiliar with this philosophy.In many ways, contradictory and sometimes sharply negative perception related, as is often the case, the lack of information.We are talking about the concept of "childfree".What, when and how there was, what goals it is a social movement?And, most importantly, how it affects the rest of society?In this article, we will answer all these questions and to debunk myths.
history phenomenon
Childfree («childfree") in Russian means "free from the children."This originated in during the 1970s in the United States during the mass demonstrations for the rights of freedom and equality.Thus was created the National Organization of non-parents (NON), which stood at the origins of two participants of the feminist movement, Ellen Peck and Shirley Radley.The meaning of the organization was to bring conservative society thought that a woman has the right not to have children, if you do not want.
This statement made a significant change in the public mind, because until then it was believed that a conscious rejection of procreation is the existence of physical or psychological ailments properties.A bold statement of two activists gives confidence to other women feel the same, but did not dare say out loud.NON organization quickly became popular, and in 1980 was transformed into the movement of childfree.But if the United States adherents childless lifestyle is often busy with an active social activities and take part in political activities, the post-Soviet space is a social movement has the character of the club's interests.
FAQ
Among people who do not consider themselves to this phenomenon and do not have such friends, there is a lot of misunderstanding and even myths about the childfree.
«What's up with them?How can you not want to have at least one child? »
It should be recalled that procreation is not an obligation, and the reluctance to do it does not characterize a person from the negative side.On the contrary, it says about honesty with oneself and responsibility for the future.Having children is in case when you really have the desire and the ability to raise a little man.
«It is a conscious rejection of parenthood, which means childfree hate children?»
Absolutely not.The general attitude to the young generation in these adults ranges from neutral to good-natured indifference.Many voluntarily childless people are happy to spend time with their nephews and nieces, children, friends, and so on. D. Many diehard childfree successfully realize themselves in the educational field.One has only to note that the "free child" is very intolerant of active attempts to impose a way of life.
«Chayldheyt and childfree - what is it?One and the same or different? »
Confusing these are completely different phenomena, people come to the erroneous conclusion that voluntary childlessness - is a consequence of burning hostility to the younger generation.While the "childfree" means "free child", "chayldheyt" translates as "detonenavistniki."Optionally, to know and to use terms-Anglicisms to understand how these two phenomena are far from each other.The first group of people comfortable with the other children, but prefers not to have its own.The second group is experiencing a persistent negative feeling towards the little people that can occur even in the aggression.It is remarkable and at the same time sad that haters children are not necessarily childless.Cases of psychological or physical violence in the family often due to the fact that a parent for various reasons, manifests itself as chayldheyter.
to psychologists
Among experts on the inner life of a man there is no unequivocal opinion about voluntary childlessness.Trying to understand what it means to childfree as a socio-psychological phenomenon, practicing psychologists are the following possible reasons for this choice:
1. Negative experiences in their own childhood.
According to this logic, the reason for joining the childfree is fear (conscious or latent) to repeat the model of parenting, from which people suffered, himself a child.
2. selfishness and immaturity.
In this case, voluntary childlessness chooses people about whom they say "eternal child".So peculiar focus primarily on their own interests, as well as hedonism - the desire to get the most out of life.Which means that these people do not feel the strength to exercise the great responsibility, caring, tolerance and dedication necessary to future mothers and fathers.
3. Striving to reach the professional heights.
This group consists of childfree, the type of activity which is associated with the business, the arts, sports, science and other areas that require a large commitment.In such circumstances, one does not have neither the time nor the opportunity, or even simply the need to engage in birth and upbringing of offspring.After all, the favorite combine work and good parenting - a task almost impossible, especially in the Russian reality.
4. The pressure of the conservative forces in society.
Another point of view on the phenomenon of childfree is viewing it as a response to government policies, calling to give birth to as many as possible and to improve the demographic situation.Of course, in this case, the choice of childlessness is subconscious - a kind of psychological reaction to excessive psychological pressure.
And now look at the reasons for joining the voluntary childlessness based on gender differences.
Women and men childfree
What is there in this social movement that attracts both sexes?
Studies show that women are usually motivated by a desire to be realized professionally, and devote more time to self-development.Indeed, having the young child, it is difficult to build a career, and even during a short maternity leave, you can lose your dream job.In addition, children of education, especially in the first years of life leaves little time and opportunity to travel, study and easy reading books.
As for men, they are choosing a lifestyle childfree often guided by the opposite reason than in women.The main argument for male becomes a reluctance to take on the financial burden that inevitably arises at birth and upbringing of the child's future.Men childfree would like to have more independence and fewer obligations and opportunities are sometimes lazy or travel without being bound by the need to feed the family.
other arguments voluntarily childless people of both sexes are called: the risk of giving birth to health, the deterioration of relations within marriage and intimate life of a violation of the parents after the birth of the child.
In general, the perfect pair for any childfree is a partner with the same exact beliefs.In this case, it is able to build a more harmonious relationship, devoid of doubt or distrust on such an important issue as childbirth.
Free and famous
Voluntary renunciation of raising children - the phenomenon is quite broad, but generally these people account for only 1-2 per cent in the society.This includes choosing a lifestyle and childfree celebrities.Among them, one of the first kommunistok and women's rights activists Clara Zetkin, film and serial actress Renee Zellweger, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston, Kim Cattrall and Eva Mendes, TV host Oprah Winfrey and Ksenia Sobchak, the singer Kylie Minogue.
From conviction childless men, the most famous actor George Clooney and Christopher Walken.
Community for childfree
Meet people who have chosen voluntary childlessness in our advanced time occur on various Internet sites.There are appropriate forums, diary community groups, public and so on. D. On these Internet sites can communicate with peers, ask questions, pour out his heart and find a mate with a similar outlook.
Forums
very popular forum is "Planet childfree."Here users share sore discuss life stories, jokes on a variety of topics (not only related to the philosophy of childfree), receive and impart useful information - in short, feel comfortable.Forum "childfree Planet" is in some sense an outlet for those people who in everyday life is not surrounded by like-minded in matters of procreation, but rather "ideological opponents", showing a lack of understanding or lack of tact in communication.
Social Networks
highly developed and content childfree community is located in the "Live Journal".At the time, it was the first in RuNet platform for communication between people who choose voluntary childlessness.
The most popular Russian social network also has a public page and focus group childfree.One of the most popular is called "Childfree in Russian.""VKontakte" brings together users from different cities and countries, making it possible to communicate on current topics in real-time.Also groups exist PUBLIC anonymous opinions, such as "Overheard childfree."Another remarkable phenomenon can be called a community on social networks, focused on married / married or in long-term relationships of people.Here you can discuss the features of family life without children, and ask for advice in cases of misunderstanding with a partner on this issue.In general, a variety of social interactions - that's what they do the band members' Childfree in Russian "and other similar communities on the Internet.
Instead of conclusion
«Free Child" - so do not feel the need to have offspring and have deliberately chosen childlessness.You can not call childfree community subculture, because the group has no special rules or distinctive external features.And the social movement (at least in the CIS countries), they can be considered a stretch, since they do not put forward slogans and do not try to change the world.In general we can say that childfree - a way of life that can be understood or not, but definitely worth respect, though, because these people are honest in their choice and do not impose it to others.
