# 81. Laura Carroll on the Influence of Pronatalism on Your Kids or Childfree Choice

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-kids-or-childfree-podcast-6725428/81-laura-carroll-on-the-influence-of-pronatalism-on-your-kids-or-childfree-choice
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-kids-or-childfree-podcast-6725428/81-laura-carroll-on-the-influence-of-pronatalism-on-your-kids-or-childfree-choice.md
Podcast: [The Kids or Childfree Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-kids-or-childfree-podcast-6725428)
Published: 2025-10-15T09:29:00+00:00
Episode link: https://81cffad0-1139-4cb7-be39-26dc670a9d20.libsyn.com/81-laura-carroll-on-the-influence-of-pronatalism-on-your-kids-or-childfree-choice
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/81cffad0-1139-4cb7-be39-26dc670a9d20/KM_-_EP_81_-_Podcast_Audio_-_FINAL.mp3?dest-id=4261233
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-kids-or-childfree-podcast-6725428/episodes/81-laura-carroll-on-the-influence-of-pronatalism-on-your-kids-or-childfree-choice
Duration seconds: 4209

## Resource

In this conversation, we hear from writer and researcher, Laura Carroll, about how societal and cultural narratives — including pronatalist beliefs — influence and shape our Kids or Childfree desires and the choices we ultimately make. Keltie and Laura... Delve into the complexities of choosing a childfree life, and the idea of "shifting sureness". Discuss Laura's extensive research on childfree individuals and her works, "25 over 10" and "The Baby Matrix". Explore the importance of questioning societal norms and the impact of personal experiences on life decisions. Unpack some of the deep-rooted beliefs that influence individuals' decisions to have children. Explore the notion that childfree individuals are responsible for societal issues resulting from population decline. (0:27) Meet Laura and her Kids or Childfree decision (10:03) Laura's 10-year study of 25 childfree women (16:30) Defining "pronatalism" and its impact on people's decision (29:28) Should parenting require a license? (37:10) The sinking population rate and reproductive freedom (51:07) Demographic and statistic shifts in childfree people As mentioned in the show Find Laura online at https://lauracarroll.com Read Laura's books: The Baby Matrix: lauracarroll.com/book-review/the-baby-matrix/ 25 Over 10: A Childfree Longitudinal Study: lauracarroll.com/book-review/25-over-10/ Families of Two: lauracarroll.com/book-review/ebook-families-of-two-interviews-with-happily-married-couples-without-children-by-choice/ Find Laura on social media: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lauracarroll88.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrollcommunicationsconsulting/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauralcarroll88/ FB The Baby Matrix Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheBabyMatrix/ FB Families of Two: Ch…

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