antinatalism

noun

an·​ti·​na·​tal·​ism ˌan-tē-ˈnā-tə-ˌli-zəm 

ˌan-tī-

variants or anti-natalism

1

: the belief or philosophy that human procreation is unethical or immoral and inevitably results in suffering

… antinatalism is a philosophical and ethical stance against human reproduction, rooted in harm prevention and rational consideration for future life.

—stophavingkids.org

In the past few years, the deterioration of environmental conditions, social difficulties, global worsening of people's mental health, and pandemics have induced discussion about antinatalism.

—Karuga et al.

also : a belief that having and raising children is incompatible with other financial, career, or social aspirations

This kind of anti-natalism … doesn't panic about teeming masses and polluted cities, it's fine with people who want kids having kids. But … respectability and propriety and good sense end up delaying reproduction, shrinking family size and leaving too many people with unfulfilled fertility desires.

—Ross Douthat

2

: a principle or policy that discourages or prohibits procreation or large families with many children

Nazi pronatalism for desirable births and antinatalism for undesirable ones were closely connected, as eugenic sterilization laws against propagation of "lives unworthy of life" became legal and voluntary sterilization for Aryan women became prohibited.

—Nicole Ephgrave

antinatalist

ˌan-tē-ˈnā-tə-list 

ˌan-tī-

noun

or anti-natalist

plural antinatalists or anti-natalists

Antinatalists see life not as a blessing or a gift, but as a burden or something negative—to other human beings, to the environment, or to the people themselves.

—Susan Ciancio

antinatalist adjective

or anti-natalist

antinatalist groups/policies

Word History

Etymology

anti- + natal + -ism, after antinatalist, adjective, "opposing or discouraging having children or large families," after pronatalist, pronatalism

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined at sense 2