Factors influencing men's and women's decisions about having children
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October 2004
Michael Alexander
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Abstract
The fertility literature is replete with reasons for delayed childbearing and the decline in large families. But what shapes men's and women's thinking about whether or not to have children? Data from the Fertility Decision Making Project indicate that men and women have similar views about which are the most important issues in the fertility decision making process. This article describes items that were most commonly considered to be important by men and women, and identifies the items for which differences occur based on parental and relationship status.
The fertility literature is replete with reasons for delayed childbearing and the decline in large families. But what shapes men's and women's thinking about whether or not to have children? Data from the Fertility Decision Making Project indicate that men and women have similar views about which are the most important issues in the fertility decision making process. This article describes items that were most commonly considered to be important by men and women, and identifies the items for which differences occur based on parental and relationship status.