Value structure of social movement members: A new perspective on the voluntarily childless

In this study we deal with the values of individuals who belong to the social movement which questions the traditional notion that children are a necessary part of their lives. A random sample of a nationwide organization, the National Alliance/or Optional Parenthood, was used. The main finding was that members of this organization are more inwardly oriented than the gene-ral US population. They are more interested in gaining support for their decision to remain childless than in reducing pronatalist pressure in society. Thus, their membership in a social movement is motivated more by self-interest than in the public welfare. There is an interest in social change, but this is not as strong as the personal, immediate benefits of membership in the organization.