This therapist's perspective reveals insights into psychological growth and well-being.
Postponing Parenthood Scale
Curious about what’s really driving your decision to wait before having children? Take this test to find out.
By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated:
In recent decades, the decision to delay parenthood — or, to opt out of it altogether — has become increasingly common across the globe. Rising education levels, career opportunities and social shifts have made later-life family planning a reality for many individuals and couples. At the same time, shifts in cultural attitudes have made it even more acceptable to openly embrace a “childfree” lifestyle, whether it be temporarily or permanently. Parenthood is no longer seen as an inevitable milestone for everyone, but rather as one of many pathways to a fulfilling life.
Understanding why people postpone parenthood is crucial, as the motives behind these decisions are complex and multifaceted. For some, the reasons are practical: financial stability, career advancement or securing housing. For others, personal priorities, like travel, self-development or uncertainty about long-term relationships play a central role. Distinguishing between these different motives is important to researchers, policymakers and healthcare professionals, as well as to individuals who wish to uncover their ambivalence toward parenthood.
The Multidimensional Scale of Motives for Postponing Parenthood provides a structured way to capture this complexity. By breaking down motives into six core categories, it helps reveal the many different reasons behind delayed parenthood — rather than treating it as a single, uniform phenomenon. In this way, it is an effective tool for exploring one of the most significant lifestyle choices of modern adulthood.
References: Szcześniak, M., Falewicz, A. & Brodowska, D. (2025). Multidimensional Scale of Motives for Postponing Parenthood (MSMPP-18): Development, factorial structure and psychometric properties. Scientific Reports, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01184-y