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In this region, there's a reason to be childless (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

area

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'in this region there's a reason' is the definition.
'area' can be an answer for 'region' (synonyms). I am unsure of the rest of the definition.

'be childless' is the wordplay.
'be' becomes 'are' (I've seen this in another clue).
'childless' becomes 'a' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'are'+'a'='AREA'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for area that I've seen before include "Region, space" , "Expanse of a surface" , "Region, zone" , "land" , "Expanse or neighbourhood" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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