Transition to parenthood: New insights into socio-psychological costs of childbearing

Abstract

The paper deals with socio-psychological costs of (first) childbearing, considering this as important hurdle for transition to higher parities, especially to second and third ones. In addition to the second demographic transition, new paradigms tackle micro aspects of parenthood thus highlighting individual and parental well-being/happiness and experiences around a first baby as preconditions for (next) childbearing along with work-, family-, leisure-, friendly policies. We used both the macro and micro theoretical perspectives in order to explore our research data. We deployed the complementary method: the survey (N=1560) among women in Serbia in 2017 which was the supplementary to previously conducted qualitative one (interviews with 30 couples in Belgrade) in 2013/4. On both occasions we dealt with the topic related to the process of transition from partnership to parenthood. Results have shown high socio-psychological costs of women/mothers and the asymmetry in gender roles at the start of childbearing. This is explained by persisting patriarchal ideology in both private and public sphere, which is even strengthened after the onset of social transition and demise of state socialism (repatriarchalization). Such behavioural pattern is not only incompatible with professional demands when it comes to women's employment, but as such is also demonstrated to be a strong barrier for further childbearing. We propose policy measures that are directed towards stronger inclusion of men/fathers into private sphere (transformation of gender roles) from the very beginning of parenthood and around household, which should be combined with other family policies (work family reconciliation), social policies targeted to the increased employment, quality of life, etc.

The Association between Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) and Social Perception of Childbearing Deadline Ages: A Cross-Country Examination of Selected EU Countries

“…In fact, according to Finley’s study adolescents born to fathers who were aged 40 or over evaluated their fathers’ parental quality lower than those whose fathers were aged 30–39 [ 58 ]. Whilst older generations considered paternal childbearing age primarily based on biological capabilities, younger generations view childbearing age in relation to whether one can adequately raise a child [ 59 , 60 , 61 ].…”

Fertility Postponement between Social Context and Biological Reality: The Case of Serbia

“…Business cycles undoubtly contribute to the fertility fluctuations in the posttransitional societies, especially through fertility downturns in uncertain times (Sobotka 2017) and vice versa. In addition to the well known theories, new paradigms tackle micro aspects of partnership and parenthood, and can explain fertility postponement in a more subtle way (Bobić 2018).…”

“…Serbia has faced below-replacement fertility very early, but also the longterm persistence of cohort TFR at 1.8 children per woman. Accelerated socialistic modernization after WWII, industrialization and urbanization, rural to urban migrations, family transformation, women's full-time employment, liberalization of abortion, and slow but continuous increase in personal consumption and incompatibility of work and family (Bobić 2018), are the main reasons which contributed to the growth of economic and psychological cost of parenthood (Rašević 1995). The trend of increasing share of childless women of an optimal fertile age (20-34 years) was registered since 1981, and according to the latest census (2011), almost one in three women from the agecohort 30-34 were childless (30.6%) (Rašević 2015).…”

Is the overturn of gender stereotypes the key to fertility increase in Serbia?

“…The psychological cost of parenting is a very important determinant of low birth rates in Serbia and it is very high (Bobić, 2018). The goals of the Strategy for the Encouragement of Childbirth 4 , regarding this aspect, relate to alleviating role-based conflicts as the dominant experience of working mothers and emphasizing the importance of the role of the father and his involvement in child-raising activities (Vlada Republike Srbije, 2018, p. 32).…”

“…Психолошка цена родитељства представља врло битну детерминанту ниских стопа рађања у Србији и она је веома висока (Bobić, 2018). Циљеви Стратегије подстицања рађања 4 , у погледу овог аспекта, односе се на ублажавање конфликта улога као доминантног искуства запослених мајки, али и на истицање значаја улоге оца и његово укључивање у активности подизања детета (Vlada Republike Srbije, 2018, str.…”