Unfulfilled desire to have children: How men suffer from childlessness

Unfulfilled desire to have children puts a strain on men

The topic of unwanted childlessness is often viewed from the perspective of women, but men also suffer considerably. A desperate desire to have children can be a great emotional burden for men, as well as for women. This problem is increasingly neglected in social discussions, which leads to another pain for those affected that suffer from shame and social stigmatization.

A study by the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs showed that about every third childless man and every third childless woman between the ages of 20 and 50 do not have any children. Interestingly, research shows that the proportion of childless men has increased significantly between 2013 and 2020. This suggests that the perception of society and the associated printing factors have changed to men, so that the unfulfilled desire to have children can no longer be regarded as a female problem.

The psychologist Tewes Wischmann has researched the psychological aspects of childlessness over several decades and found that men often suffer from social pressure associated with being a father. Wischmann emphasizes that many men accept that they could only become fathers later in life, which not only results in a misjudgment, but also a risk factors for their own fertility.

In everyday life, many childless men experience social isolation, especially during family gatherings, where they are often considered an exception or are pushed to the edge. This can lead to a deep feeling of loneliness, which is largely ignored in society. It becomes increasingly clear that these men, through their experiences and feelings, can often get into an existential crisis Situation.

A recognized strategy to cope with these difficult feelings is to actively process your childlessness, set new life goals and not to withdraw from social contacts. Support from the environment plays a crucial role in alleviating the feeling of loneliness and facilitating the emotional loads. Empathy and understanding are essential components here to find a way to self -acceptance and realization in the difficult situation of the unfulfilled desire to have children.