Childfree Adults Have Fewer Close Relationships than Parents

Childfree adults do not have or want children. Although they often experience social stigma and are subject to negative stereotypes, few studies have directly examined childfree adults' social networks. In this study, we examine whether childfree adults have fewer close relationships than parents. Using representative data in the United States from the cross-sectional CHIP50-NET survey, we tested three pre-registered hypotheses regarding the number and composition of 2,928 childfree adults' and 12,863 parents' close relationships. Compared to parents, childfree adults had significantly fewer close relationships, especially in middle age. Additionally, on average, a minority (44%) of childfree adults' close relationships were with parents, while a majority (62%) of parents' close relationships were with other parents. The differences between childfree adults and parents in the number and composition of their close relationships are modest, but call for further research on this gap's implications for childfree adults' well-being and risk of lower social support.