Social Approaches to Childlessness and Constrained Parenthood

A Narrative Review

Abstract

The study examines the social, cultural, and institutional mechanisms that shape reproductive decision-making in contemporary Hungary. It conceptualises postponed parenthood, childlessness, and constrained pathways to parenthood as socially embedded phenomena influenced by biological, structural, and normative factors. The review — while drawing on selected earlier scholarly contributions — primarily focuses on research published over the past five years (2021–2025) in both Hungarian and English, to highlight the most recent developments in the field. Particular attention is paid to life situations that do not fit into traditional family concepts and in which the possibility of having children becomes limited or uncertain.

The study focuses on three main thematic areas: different forms of intentional and unintentional childlessness, the social and biological consequences of postponing childbearing, and the availability and social perception of alternative family formation options, such as assisted reproduction and adoption. The narrative literature review aims to present the complexity and multidimensional nature of the topic, with a particular focus on the tensions between normative expectations and real-life trajectories.

A deeper understanding of the interplay of the diverse factors underlying reproductive decisions may provide an opportunity to reconsider different scientific approaches and contribute to the development of well-founded decisions and programs for those involved in care.