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Childless is a term that refers to a person or couple that does not have any children. Childlessness may be the result of:
Some people are childless by choice, meaning that they have made a conscious decision not to have children. Childfree is a term that is coming into use as an alternative, indicating that they do not see the absence of having a child as lacking in any way, as the suffix -less seems to imply.[1] To accomplish the goal of remaining childfree, they may even undergo medical sterilization.
Some people are childless by circumstance, meaning that they have not made a conscious choice to never have children, nor is there anything medically preventing them from having children. They may be childless while pursuing a career or are simply delaying child-rearing until they are financially stable. They may also be wanting children but are single, or partnered to somebody who is ambivalent or against having children. See http://www.childlessnotbychoice.com
Some people are childless, not because of choice or temporary circumstance, but as the result of infertility or another medical problem, such as a medically-necessary hysterectomy, which makes it difficult or impossible to have children.