Couples for whom in vitro fertilization (IVF) or gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) treatment failed (N=20) were followed up and compared with successful couples. Current mental-health status, quality of life, and marital adjustment were assessed via questionnaires; experiences were explored by interview. Results and recommendations for…

This article focuses on the ways in which patterns of marriage and fertility shape older people's involvement in community groups and their support networks. The data are from Australia, Finland, Germany, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Findings show that childless older adults, regardless of…

The impact of early life events that take place under specific historical and societal circumstances on adult development have rarely been investigated in old age. We examined whether having started a family in young adulthood was related to the contents of possible selves generated by women aged 85 to 100+ in the Berlin Aging Study (N = 129; M…

Longitudinally examined effects of infertility on marital and global life quality with 174 infertile couples and 74 fertile couples. By third interview, 42% of infertile couples and 36% of fertile couples were parents. Psychosocial predictors of life quality were highly similar for members of infertile and fertile couples and for couples with and…

Infertile couples' (N=131) consideration of options for dealing with infertility (medical help, adoption, fostering, alternative medicine, and focusing on other life goals) is studied. Options were related to specific motivations including altruistic motives for adoption or foster care. Results, timing of choices, and motivations are discussed.…

Presents the view that the family is in trouble and discusses three symptoms of that trouble: no-fault divorce, fatherless families, and childlessness. Considers the role of individualism in causing symptoms and offers recommendations for changes in child support laws and parent responsibility. (NB)

Examines adoption issues including family member loss, infertility, transracial adoptions, special-needs adoptions, older child adoption, inherited traits, adoptive family, biological parents, and open adoption. Suggests specific therapeutic interventions including redefinition, use of paradox, family therapy approaches, group therapy, and…

Used data from 945 adults to distinguish 6 categories of parental status. Examined extent to which variations in normative expectedness of parental experiences explained differences in well-being. Findings suggest that parental situation effects vary by gender and economic pressures. Childlessness past age 30 had greater negative impact for women;…

School board members can make reaching nonparents a high-priority goal. The director of public relations of the South Carolina School Boards Association offers suggestions for involving young adults and senior citizens in the schools. (MLF)

Explored stressors that accompany experience of involuntary childlessness and examined mediators of adjustment to infertility in married individuals. Data showed deleterious effect that coping with infertility can have on couple's sexual relationship. Findings suggest important relationship between self-esteem, marital commitment, and positive…

A survey of the top 10% of high-earning women ages 28-55 found that only 60% of the older group are married; 29-34% work over 50 hours per week; at least one-third are childless; the situation appears to be worsening for younger generations. Even with supportive company policies, attitudes and job pressures in corporate culture are constraining…

This study examines regret and psychological well-being among 72 middle-aged and older women who are either voluntarily childless, involuntarily childless, or mothers. Group comparisons indicate that, when compared to involuntarily childless women, voluntarily childless women show higher levels of overall well-being, rate themselves as more…

About 1 in 12 couples in the United States face the "how to have" element of reproductive choices. Assistive Reproductive Technology (ART) involves manipulation of genetic material outside of the body. Infertile couples have a large range of options in the achievement of a conception and are easily overwhelmed. As new choices are offered…

Controlling for human capital inputs and unobserved heterogeneity explained 55-57% of the wage gap between mothers and nonmothers. Mothers faced the highest wage penalty at return to work. High school graduates suffered more prolonged, severe losses than women with lower or higher attainment. Their jobs were less likely to offer flexibility needed…

Surveys 32 men between the ages of 16-30 who have not yet fathered a child to explore how they envision fatherhood. Interpretative analyses yielded two interrelated substantive dimensions: fatherhood readiness and fathering visions. Provides theoretical themes for understanding the dimensions, and discusses how these dimensions inform…