Antinatalism and Being Childfree

GREGUŠ, Jan. Antinatalism and Being Childfree. In Congress of the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health, Bilbao. 2024.

Basic information

• Original name: Antinatalism and Being Childfree
• Authors: GREGUŠ, Jan.
• Edition: Congress of the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health, Bilbao, 2024.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Presentations at conferences
• Field of Study: 60302 Ethics
• Country of publisher: Spain
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• Organization unit: Faculty of Arts
• Keywords in English: antinatalism; morality of procreation; coerced parenthood; childfree
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

Though not being a mainstream philosophical tradition, antinatalism has had its place in the annals of philosophy. It is a view that is critical of human reproduction – it considers coming into existence as a harm for sentient beings and/or deems procreation as immoral. It thus argues that humans should abstain from having children. This view is now getting more mainstream as more and more women choose to be childfree, which may be for various reasons. However, such women frequently feel the stigma of their choice and rejection by their families, the public, and also, sadly, by their healthcare providers. This presentation makes a case for such women because having a child is a human right, not a duty. This presentation advances the view that non-parenthood is a valid option for all humans. Whatever their reasons, people who want to stay childfree, deserve respect to their choice and autonomy. As such, we should emphasize our support to them instead of stigmatising and/or coercing them into unwanted parenthood.

Links

• MUNI/A/1412/2023, interní kód MU: Name: Filozofie pro odolnou společnost

Investor: Masaryk University, Philosophy for resilient society