Economic Stability and Childbearing: An Experimental Approach among U.S. Women

• In Event: 20816 - Fertility Patterns in Economic and Cultural Context

Abstract

Economic precarity may be driving decisions to delay, forgo, or reduce childbearing among young people growing up in economically insecure and unequal conditions. Yet, from a comparative-historical perspective, economic resources are not inherently a precursor for childbearing. We treat the relationship between economic stability and fertility preferences as an open question, focusing on the case of the U.S. We conduct a conjoint survey experiment among a nationally representative group of young (ages 18-35) American women to ascertain preferences for fertility, economic stability, and career intensity. We find that the young women in our sample have a clear preference for economic stability; however, their preference to have more versus fewer children does not depend on the hypothetical level of economic stability. There was little variation in preferred number of children by (hypothetical) career intensity, though there was variation by respondent’s own income. Additionally, we found that the effect of public supports for parents on fertility varied by hypothetical economic stability, with a stronger fertility response to public supports in low economic stability vignettes. Our results contribute to debates about how broader economic contexts shape childbearing.

Authors

• Julia A Behrman, Northwestern University

• Emily A. Marshall, Franklin and Marshall College

• Christine M. Percheski, Northwestern