Social Influences on Fertility: A Comparative Mixed Methods Study in Eastern and Western Germany

Bernardi, Laura; Keim, Sylvia; Lippe, Holger von der

doi:10.1177/1558689806292238

Cited by 61 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Previous research on the intention-behaviour gap in fertility has focused on micro-level individual and macro-level institutional characteristics, which has been at the expense of recognising vital meso-level family networks. Following the literature on personal networks (Kohler et al 2001;Bühler and Philipov 2005;Bernardi et al 2007) and focussing in particular on the family, we can identify two primary and complementary roles of the family network in shaping an individual's fertility choices (Balbo and Mills 2011). The first one, which is the more stable aspect, is the family as a source of social capital.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of the family network on the realisation of fertility intentions

Balbo

Mills

2012

Populationyearbook

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The gap between fertility intentions and behaviour remains a contentious area of theoretical, methodological and policy debate. Previous fertility studies have focused on individual and institutional characteristics, at the expense of the recognition of meso-level family social capital and networks. This study examines the realisation of time-dependent fertility intentions for the transition to first and higher-order births. Building upon and extending the previous literature we explore two competing theoretical mechanisms of how high levels of family social capital operate to either enable or inhibit the realisation of intentions and the impact of cross-sibling effects. Using two waves of the Netherlands Kinship Panel Survey (NKPS), we also introduce a methodological extension by examining whether the inclusion of only those with positive fertility intentions in previous research has resulted in selection bias. By adopting a probit model with sample selection, we both avoid this selection problem and empirically test whether there is a bias. Results show that there are some, albeit negligible, unobserved characteristics affecting both an individual's fertility intentions and the realisation of these intentions. High levels of family social capital operate to deter from having a child, particularly when individuals already have at least one child, suggesting that individuals adopt a 'satisficing' strategy. Our findings also suggest that children may operate as a means to generate family social capital. Having a sibling with a young child is associated with a higher probability to realise one's own intention to have a first child.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of the family network on the realisation of fertility intentions

Balbo

Mills

2012

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“…Thus, even though the research presented here is primarily qualitative, it does not seem to be essential to begin the analysis with any particular method, as the most rewarding approach undoubtedly seems to be to switch (under control) between methods of analysis. It is in fact the iterative processing of the individual, relational and structural dimensions that made it possible to create results concerning their interactions (Wellman and al., 1991;Bernardi, Keim, von der Lippe 2007).…”

Section: Conclusion: Mixed Methods As a Processual Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining qualitative, quantitative and structural dimensions in a longitudinal perspective. The case of network influence

Bidart

Cacciuttolo

2012

Qual Quant

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“…Initial lists of possible respondents were built up from school listings or alumni websites, then the snowball technique was applied. The purpose of the study was to investigate social network effects on fertility intentions in a comparative perspective: this mode of selection was meant to control for primary socialisation (Bernardi et al 2007). The French sample ended up being more diverse.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Family policies, norms about gender roles and fertility decisions in France and Germany

Rossier¹

2012

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Cross-country comparisons show that family policies supporting the work-family combination are related to higher fertility in industrialised countries. We argue that within each country, there is a dominant norm about the care of small children, linked to the shape of family policy, that influences individuals' fertility decisions whatever their gender roles attitudes and practices. We compare western Germany and France, which have different family policy and child care contexts, and also different fertility levels, but exhibit similar attitudes and practices towards gender roles as measured in surveys. Using qualitative data (62 interviews), we show that in each national sample, most individuals manage to agree with the national norm about child care, on top of their varying attitudes towards, and practices of, gender roles. These national norms about child care shape fertility decisions, independently of the provision of child care. In western Germany, where mothers are seen as the best child care providers, women who want or need to work prefer to forgo having children rather than using other possible sources of child care. In France, where child care is seen as best when shared, individuals find child care solutions allowing women to work, even in cases where no institutional care is available.

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Social Influences on Fertility: A Comparative Mixed Methods Study in Eastern and Western Germany

Cited by 61 publications

References 5 publications

The influence of the family network on the realisation of fertility intentions

The influence of the family network on the realisation of fertility intentions

Combining qualitative, quantitative and structural dimensions in a longitudinal perspective. The case of network influence

Family policies, norms about gender roles and fertility decisions in France and Germany

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