Lived experiences of voluntary childless iranian couples: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Social, economic and cultural changes, increasingly have made new alternatives available to couples. Voluntary childlessness is an emerging and growing alternative lifestyle in Iran and little is known about this phenomenon.

In this study, we explored the lived experiences of voluntary childless Iranian couples using a qualitative method and phenomenological approach

Participants were selected in a purposeful sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and data saturation was achieved after interviews with 17 individuals (seven couples and three women). An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) method of Smith et al. (2009) was used for data analysis.

The analysis of the interviews led to the emergence of seven superordinate themes; personal inadequacy, social, economic, political, and cultural deficiency, Inadequate and unsafe world, challenge with the classical family norms and values, social pressures and coping strategies.

The results of the present study showed that voluntary childlessness is a contemporary family form that has a different way of meaning and valuing than the classical family. This recognition creates a basis for mental health and family professionals to provide better services.