Non-standard work and fertility: a comparison of the US and Japan. Issue 2 (4th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Piotrowski, Martin; Kalleberg, Arne; Bond, Erik; Wolford, Rick
• Is Part Of: Asian population studies. Volume 14:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 116
• Page End: 136
• Publication Date: 2018-05-04
• Subjects: Fertility -- non-standard work -- Japan -- US; Asia -- Population -- Periodicals; 304.6095
• DOI: 10.1080/17441730.2018.1446310
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-1730

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Using General Social Survey data from Japan and the US ( N = 5101), we examine the effect of non-standard or non-regular work status on men's fertility. We employ a cross-national comparative approach to explore how this relationship differs both within and across the two countries. Consistent with features of the Japanese context which make it challenging for non-regular workers to realise the breadwinner role we find a negative effect of non-standard work status on men's fertility in Japan, but not the US. Specifically, Japanese men employed as non-regular workers have the lowest chances of having a child. Non-regular work status has no such effect on men's fertility in the US. We also find that the difference in the non-standard work effect between the two countries can be accounted for by differences in the effect of marriage, which illustrates the close connection between marriage and fertility in Japan.