ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines three, basic, key categories in childlessness studies, such as, voluntary, involuntary, and temporary, and how they are based on women's fertility. It examines the alternative concept of 'childfree by choice' and the questionable freedom of choice lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ) people experience with respect to decisions about parenthood. The chapter examines that the examination of the social worlds of childless non-heterosexual men can enhance the breath and scope of sexualities research. The traditional category 'voluntary childlessness' is problematic for gay men. Most gay men are not voluntarily childless because social expectations already construct them as childless. The rationale operating behind 'involuntary childlessness' is the assumption that there are either physiological reasons or other barriers contributing to a delay in the decision to become a parent. The reasoning behind 'temporary childlessness' is the assumption that adults postpone parenthood for different reasons: because they are too young, they are not married, they have temporary fertility problems.
