kinderlust

Kinderlust is a German noun formed from Kinder (children) and Lust (delight or desire). It is commonly translated as “joy of children” or “desire to have children.” In contemporary German, the term is less frequent than the closely related Kinderwunsch, which more narrowly denotes the wish to become a parent. Kinderlust can carry a broader sense of affection for children or a cultural or personal enthusiasm for child-rearing.

Usage and nuance vary by context. The term can refer to a personal sentiment toward children, such as parental warmth or a nurturing impulse, or to a broader social mood that values family life and the presence of children. In literary, historical, or sociological texts, Kinderlust may appear to describe attitudes toward children that extend beyond mere reproduction to include enjoyment of childhood and family structures.

Origin and reception: Kinderlust reflects a typical German compound construction and its semantic range is primarily attested in German-language sources. In English-language discourse, the term is rare and usually discussed in scholarly work about German culture, language, or historical attitudes toward family and reproduction.

See also: Kinderwunsch, Familienplanung, Reproduktionskultur.