Dynamický pohled na bezdětnost perspektivou kvalitativního longitudinálního výzkumu
A dynamic view of childlessness from the longitudinal qualitative research perspective

Summary/Abstract: Taking the longitudinal qualitative research perspective, the article contributes to the understanding of the increase in childlessness in the Czech Republic by capturing the experiences and identities of childless persons and by expanding upon the mechanisms that lead to the long-term persistence of childlessness or changes in reproductive identities and plans. The research is based on the analysis of repeated problem-centered interviews (usually after 11−12 years) with women and men who were childless in the first wave of interviews and either preferred permanent childlessness, or were undecided about parenting, or wished to enter parenthood in the future, but still felt too young to start a family, or postponed childbearing due to various obstacles. Over the long term, the childless identities of those who preferred lifelong childlessness or who remained undecided about parenthood proved to be the most stable. The life trajectories of those who postponed parenthood and wished for it in the future more often included transitions to parenthood or other childless identities, including involuntary or permanent childlessness, which was often connected with the domino effect of events and the influence of linked lives. The repeated interviews provided new insight into the various relationships between reproductive and partner trajectories and served to shed light on how voluntarily childless couples maintain the consensus on the choice of a childfree life. The results suggest that family policy, while fully respecting the choice to lead a childfree life, should also facilitate pathways to parenthood at older reproductive ages.

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