Family background and perceived marital happiness: a comparison of voluntary childless couples and parents

The purpose of theis paper is to examine the previously reported relationships between family background, marital happiness, and voluntary childlessness in light of data collected from samples of intentionally childless couples and parents in Winnipeg. The findings show that, contrary to earlier assertions, family background factors such as birth order, size of family of orientation, mother's employment, and perceived parental happiness do not predispose individuals to voluntary childlessness. Further, while the reported level of marital happiness is higher among childless couples, the sources of marital dissatisfaction among parents are not always children.