This study examines the effects of childlessness on family satisfaction among older persons. Respondents 65 years of age and older from four national surveys are selected for the analysis. The results indicate that childlessness has significant negative effects on family satisfaction, especially among those who are 70 years of age and older, and more so among older women than men. This effect is above and beyond sociodemographic characteristics and interaction patterns with relatives, neighbors, and friends. Implications of childlessness and roles of formal and informal support systems for the older persons are discussed.
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