Background

A narrative has developed in recent years to link ageing without children to support needs in later life. Social care has long been viewed as a private, familial responsibility, whilst health care is a societal, public good. Childlessness is framed negatively in terms of increased demands on care services and wider family networks.

Aims and objectives

As governments tackle the issue of how to fund and deliver an equitable and sustainable long-term care sector, this review sought to evaluate views of childlessness in the context of ageing.

Resources and further information

• Publication: Constructions of childlessness and ageing: legitimising dependency on unpaid care? (Quality in Ageing and Older Adults).

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