Aging & Involuntary Childlessness: Does It Affect Men?

I think it is important that the myth that men don't feel sad is busted. It is so damaging for everyone and society as a whole. - Robin Hadley, PhD

Articles and research on the effects of involuntary childlessness often focus on women. Interestingly, we seldom read or hear about childless older men's experiences and whether they feel sadness in not having children. As a Master's student, Dr. Robin Hadley sought to investigate the experiences of childless men as there was little information available. The research culminated in Dr. Hadley's PhD dissertation, Life Without Fatherhood: A Qualitative Study of Older Involuntarily Childless Men. Recently, I had the opportunity to ask Dr. Hadley some questions in his area of expertise to which he provided insightful responses:

Dr. Robin Hadley (© Paul Tonge)

How did you develop an interest on the subject of involuntary childlessness in older men?
I was looking for a subject for my Masters dissertation in Counseling and in discussion with my supervisor, Liz, I just said, "I was really broody in my 30's". She replied she'd not heard anything about that subject and so that is how it started. I then found there was very little about the male experience of childlessness and that has spurred me on. I think it is important that the myth that men don't feel sad is busted. It is so damaging for everyone and society as a whole.

Do you think there is a stigma around older men without children? 
Yes I believe there is a stigma about older men without children. In fact it is a double taboo as both older people generally are subject to ageism and the childless are seen as 'different' and suspect. The men in my recent study all reported a fear of being seen a paedophile and the view of men as a threat is reported widely in the media.

Are older men without children at a greater disadvantage as they grow older? If so, in what ways? 
It rather depends on their circumstances. However, men tend to have smaller social networks than women and when men exit work, their social network also tends to reduce. If they have a partner, they may come to rely on their partners’ social network. If the men's partner dies, their social network can again reduce. European research shows that there is no difference between the older childless and similar people with children. The difference occurs if something negative happens to the childless person. For example, if they fall ill, formal care is accessed earlier and they are more likely to be taken in to a care facility earlier and for longer compared to people with adult children. Adult children are often advocates in their parents’ dealings with health and care service providers. In the UK, there have been a number of high profile cases of poor care/abuse of older people in health and care facilities. The majority of these cases were highlighted by adult children.   

Was there anything that you found in your research that surprised you?
There are three things that surprised me: firstly, that the men very easily talked about their thoughts and feelings to a complete stranger. Many of them said this was the first time they had spoken about their feelings and thoughts about childlessness. Secondly, the fear that they all expressed about being viewed a paedophile - it is such a shame that all men are portrayed as a threat whatever their age. Thirdly, four of the men I spoke to had a role of 'grandfather'. The benefit they showed in those relationships was a joy to see.

What advice would you give to men who wished to be fathers but are childless and having regrets? 

Do something! Either talk with someone you trust or with a counselor. All the men I have spoken to considered becoming a father as natural. Not achieving it was a loss that was not possible to talk about - as men aren't 'supposed' to care! Therefore, the impact of non-fatherhood is not recognised in society and that loss does need to be acknowledged. Keeping it in and not being able to appreciate your feelings may adversely affect thoughts, feelings and behaviour. I would also consider looking at what connections you have that may give you the chance to have a role as an active uncle, grandfather, mentor or advisor. For example, in the UK many schools encourage older people to become involved in reading to children who would benefit from person-to-person learning.

Prior to learning about Dr. Hadley's studies, I had not considered how involuntary childlessness affects older men and appreciate learning about this issue. An important takeaway from this interview is that men experience sadness and regret as women do in these circumstances. Despite assumptions that men do not like to talk, they are, in fact, open to sharing their experiences. Therefore, it's vital to create opportunities for honest conversations and to truly listen. Thank you for this interview, Dr. Hadley. Additional details on Dr. Hadley's research: www.wantedtobeadad.com

Left: Graduating from Keele University, 2015. Right: Final Thesis

Enough of Shaming, Let's Create Community

The number one thing caregivers can do for other caregivers is to say 'you are not alone.' -- Alexandra Drane

Earlier this week, I read an article on nextavenue.com titled, When You Are Shamed for Moving a Parent into a Care Center. Author and gerontologist Rachael Wonderlin wrote of caregivers being harshly criticized for placing loved ones into long-term care communities. This article resonated with me because I was a caregiver for my late father and also made the difficult choice of moving him into a care home. I had hoped relatives and friends would be supportive of my decision. Instead, they were outraged and accused me of being an unfilial daughter. 

Together with the staff, we wished Dad a happy birthday.

At first, I tried to care for Dad at home, but his dementia worsened and he became debilitated due to multiple strokes. As Dad's care needs increased, many challenges arose including these examples:

• Dad lost mobility in his legs yet he would often jump out of bed and land on the floor at night. Incidentally, putting rails on the side of the bed did not work.
• We then placed a mattress on the floor, but he would wiggle off and bang his head on the wall or furniture as he attempted to maneuver his body. 
• Dad developed difficulties with swallowing but would refuse to eat soft, pureed foods and often threw plates on the floor in anger while blaming Mom for his situation. 
• Dad became agitated every night and would yell and bang on the walls until daylight. Me, Mom and Phu, my husband, took turns through the night to stay with Dad to soothe him.

I developed chronic insomnia, Mom had fainting spells due to blood-pressure spikes, and Phu sometimes fell asleep at the wheel during his 40-minute commute to work. We hired caregivers to assist Dad, but we could not afford round-the-clock care. Needless to say, I opted to find a long-term care home as Dad's safety became the biggest concern.

As we moved Dad into a care home, we were shunned by family friends. Even so, I continued to do my best to ensure that Dad's quality of life would not be compromised. It was by no means a perfect situation, but Dad's condition stabilized as he ate balanced meals and received the support he needed from a warm, caring staff. In addition, my parents' relationship improved as Dad began to express appreciation for Mom for the first time in over 40 years of marriage. I had also become closer to Dad, as I visited him daily to keep him company.

Say Cheese!

Since Dad's passing in 2010, I've earned a Master's in gerontology and learned about resources and information available for family caregivers. As I reflect on my experience, I firmly believe that caregivers need understanding, encouragement, and a caring community of friends and family. Guilt and worry come second-nature to many of us, so please stop the shaming and offer a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on!

On the subject of long-term care facilities, I recently had an opportunity to share my tip for family caregivers on the Association for Long Term Care Planning (ALTCP) website. ALTCP is a nonprofit organization providing free information, resources and expert advice on planning for long-term care -- what a great service! Here is the blog post: 20 Experts Talk: DOs and DONTs When Visiting Mom and Dad at the Long Term Care Facility. It was an honor to be included among caregiving experts I trust and respect. Together, we are all part of a wider community supporting caregivers who unselfishly look after their loved ones everyday.