nonparent

Nonparent is a term used to describe a person who does not have biological or adoptive children. It is primarily employed in demographic research, sociology, and policy analysis to distinguish individuals by parental status. The term is intended to be neutral and descriptive, though in everyday language more specific terms such as childfree or childless are often used to convey intention or reproductive history.

In research contexts, nonparents are contrasted with parents to examine differences in areas such as economic status, labor force participation, time use, social networks, well-being, and attitudes toward parenting and public policy. The category is broad and can include a variety of subgroups, including singles, individuals who postpone parenthood, those who are childless by circumstance, and those who are unable to have children. The concept does not imply any particular future outcome; some nonparents may become parents later in life, while others may remain nonparents by choice or circumstance.

There is no legal or formal administrative status associated with being a nonparent. Data on parental status are typically collected through self-report in surveys, with questions about biological or adoptive children, marital status, and guardianship or caregiving roles. In some contexts, nonparent status intersects with caregiving responsibilities, as some nonparents provide care to relatives or act as guardians.

Limitations of the term include its potential to obscure nuances, such as the reasons for nonparenthood and the extent of involvement in childcare or family life. See also: childfree, childless, parent.