Representations of voluntary childlessness in the UK press, 1990-2008.
Representations of voluntary childlessness--the declaration by an individual that he or she does not wish to bear or raise children--were studied in 116 articles published in British national newspapers in the period 1990-2008. Media framing analysis was used to examine broad patterns of framing of the topic, identifying four frames: voluntary childlessness as an individual rights issue, as a form of resistance, as a social trend, and as a personal decision. These frames, it is argued, may act as potential 'scripts' for newspaper readers who are debating the decision to start a family.
University of Winchester, UK. David.Giles@winchester.ac.uk
David
D
Giles
Rachel L
RL
Shaw
William
W
Morgan
D002321:Career Choice; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D009524:Newspapers as Topic; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D011639:Public Opinion; D043762:Reproductive Behavior; D012922:Social Change; D012945:Social Values; D006113:United Kingdom