Reconsidering the four dimensions of happiness across the life course in Japan

Affective aspects of parenthood and their intergenerational effects on fertility

“…The literature on fertility has demonstrated that culture, institutional context, family background, socioeconomic status, and relationship with partners are among the factors that account for fertility intentions (Axinn et al, 1994; Brinton and Lee, 2016; Hammel, 1990; Kan and Hertog, 2017; McDonald, 2013; Morgan and Taylor, 2006; Nagase and Brinton, 2017; Pollak and Watkins, 1993). This article proposes to expand the scope of analysis to include emotive aspects and an intergenerational perspective by exploring the influence of women’s childhood and adolescent experiences on their later fertility intentions.…”

“…For one thing, it affects their sense of well-being. Studies show full-time homemakers report greater happiness than working wives (Brinton, 2017; Lee and Ono, 2008; Sato, 2022). The ranking described by Sato makes clear the consequences of overlapping obligations that women face: ‘housewives without children are the happiest, followed by working wives without children, housewives with children, and working wives with children’ (Sato, 2022: 509).…”

“…As for married couples, the household division of labor and working hours are consequential. For example, how much a husband contributes to childcare around the birth of a couple’s first child predicts the likelihood of a second birth (Nagase and Brinton, 2017). Ease of access to maternity leave, employment status, and variables regarding husband’s work are also relevant in predicting fertility intentions of married women as well as actual births (Yamaguchi, 2009).…”