Fertility Intentions and Their Realization in Couples: How the Division of Household Chores Matters. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Riederer, Bernhard; Buber-Ennser, Isabella; Brzozowska, Zuzanna
• Is Part Of: Journal of family issues. Volume 40:Number 13(2019)
• Page Start: 1860
• Page End: 1882
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: fertility intentions -- division of household labor -- realization of intentions -- family work -- Generations and Gender Survey; Families -- United States -- Periodicals; Family -- Periodicals; 306.8505
• DOI: 10.1177/0192513X19848794
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0192-513X

Abstract

Most research on Europe indicates that a gender-balanced division of family work tends to increase childbearing probabilities, but empirical results vary substantially. The present article proposes explanations for this observed discrepancy. It develops prior research further by (1) studying short-term fertility intentions and their realization within the subsequent 4 years, (2) analyzing the role of the spouses' satisfaction with the division for the effects that the division may have on childbearing, (3) proving a mediation by relationship satisfaction, and (4) considering gender as well as parity as moderators. Using data from two waves of the Generations and Gender Survey, we show that the division of work affects childbearing intentions. We find that the effect (a) depends on the spouses' satisfaction with the division, (b) is partly moderated by relationship satisfaction, and (c) varies by parity. The division of household labor, however, seems of less importance for the realization of childbearing intentions.