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Do Spousal Intimate Relationships Affect Fertility Intentions and Preferences?
Amir Erfani1, Roya Jahanbakhsh2
1Department of Sociology & Anthropology, Nipissing University, North Bay, ON, Canada.
Journal of Family Issues
|May 9, 2022
Summary
Modern couples with egalitarian relationships and less external pressure exhibit lower fertility intentions. This suggests intimate relationship dynamics significantly influence family planning decisions.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Demography
- Family Studies
Background:
- The influence of spousal intimate relationships on fertility intentions remains underexplored.
- Existing research often overlooks the role of relationship dynamics in shaping fertility preferences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that egalitarian intimate relationships, higher relationship risk, and lower external normative attachment predict low fertility intentions.
- To examine the impact of relationship characteristics on fertility preferences and intentions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from a pilot survey of 375 prospective married individuals.
- Employed multivariate regression models to analyze the relationship between intimacy, external pressures, and fertility outcomes.
Main Results:
- Lower attachment to external social forces in mate selection correlated with a lower ideal number of children.
- Greater spousal relational egalitarianism and higher relationship risk were associated with preferring fewer children and lower fertility intentions.
Conclusions:
- Spousal intimate relationship dynamics, particularly egalitarianism and reduced external normative influence, are significant determinants of low fertility intentions.
- Findings offer new insights into the complex factors influencing contemporary fertility trends.
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