A New Approach to Explaining Fertility Patterns: Preference Theory

Abstract

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Life Outcomes of Childless Men and Fathers

“…Our findings show an opposite pattern for men; those with children have stronger economic positions than those who have remained childless. In our society, the gender-based division of tasks leads to greater restrictions on combining work and childcare responsibilities for women than men (Wetzels, 2001;Hakim, 2003;Kemkes-Grottenthaler, 2003;Schippers, 2003). Women, rather than men, encounter the opportunity costs of having children.…”

Pathways Into Childlessness: Evidence of Gendered Life Course Dynamics

“…Moreover, gender sets the context of lives, reflecting not only physiological differences, but also unique structural circumstances. For example, in society, the gender-based division of tasks leads to greater restrictions on combining work and childcare responsibilities for women than men (Wetzels, 2001;Hakim, 2003;Kemkes-Grottenthaler, 2003;Schippers, 2003). Previous studies have rarely considered the gendered life course processes though which people remain childless: women are the primary focus in childlessness research, and men have been largely neglected (Greene & Biddlecom, 2000;Forste, 2002).…”

Female University Students’ Views On Family And Parenthood: Cross-Country Analysis

“…They also more readily http://dx.doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2017.01.02.4 Corresponding Author: Anna Bagirova Selection and peer-review under The identified differences could also be explained in terms of Catherine Hakim's Preference Theory (Hakim 2003), according to which women's lifestyle preferences are a key fertility factor. Our results correspond to the lifestyle preferences she identified: career-oriented, family oriented, oriented towards combining work and family.…”