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Summary
Four in 10 married white women experienced a wanted birth even after stating they desired no more children. Conversely, only 7% of women who wanted more children reported an unwanted subsequent birth.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Sociology of Family
Background:
- Understanding women's perceptions of wanted vs. unwanted births is crucial for reproductive health.
- Previous research indicates a gap between desired family size and actual births.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the reported "wantedness" of births among married white women.
- To examine the relationship between stated fertility desires and subsequent birth outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of survey data from married white women regarding their fertility intentions and birth experiences.
- Categorization of births based on women's prior desire for more children and their reaction to the subsequent birth.
Main Results:
- Four in 10 married white women who did not want more children reported a subsequent birth as "wanted," with positive reactions.
- Only 7% of women who desired more children reported a subsequent birth as "unwanted."
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of births occur despite women stating they do not want more children, yet these births are often perceived positively.
- Fertility desires and the reality of subsequent births show a complex interplay, with "unwanted" births being less common in this cohort when more children were desired.