Religiosity of Married Couples and Childlessness

The relationship between religion and voluntary childlessness is examined using data from the National Survey of Families and Households collected in 1987and 1988. Four types of religious variables are used: attendance, denomination, belief in the Bible, and type of marriage ceremony. In addition the religious variables and childlessness of spouses are examined as correlates. Finally, the relationship between religion and voluntary childlessness is examined with age, occupation, and education controlled. Overall, the rate of voluntary childlessness was low. Only 3.5 percent of the men and 2.8 percent of the women reported that they were childless and did not expect to have children. A low but consistent negative relationship between religion and childlessness was found. Non-attenders, those without an affiliation, those who did not believe in the Bible, and those who had civil rather than religious marriage ceremonies had significantly higher rates of childlessness. Differences between denominations were small and insignificant. Each spouse's religiosity influences his/her own childlessness but is not directly associated with childlessness of the other spouse.