ABSTRACT
Ideas about the importance of reproduction and the meaning of childhood have varied through the centuries. Throughout the nineteenth century, perceptions of childhood and children's life experiences were varied by their economic value to family and community and by the social class of their parents. When reproduction becomes more of a choice, some couples opt for no children while others pamper their fewer offspring and view them as luxuries and status symbols. Sociologists have tended to focus on the adults in families rather than the children and have glossed over other important issues, such as how the experience of childhood has changed from the viewpoint of children, their parents and the state. Some studies also conclude thats women's choice to forgo motherhood was fostered by childhood trauma, poor parental role models, oppressive child-rearing, too much sibling child-care responsibility, and misidentification or negative identification with their mothers.
