Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Motivational and nonmotivational determinants of child-number desires

  • Published:
Population and Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The number of children desired by individuals—often referred to as family size desires or preferences—is a central construct in much research designed to understand and predict fertility. It is often used as a proxy for the construct of childbearing motivation. This paper presents a theoretical framework that organizes and elucidates the relationship between these two constructs. That relationship is examined using a reliable, valid measure of childbearing motivation and data from 195 husbands and 196 wives with no children and 196 husbands and 196 wives with one child. The results indicate that childbearing motivation has a complex relationship with child-number desires, characterized by curvilinearity and a failure to distinguish among those desiring more than two children. We discuss the implications of this pattern.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arnold, F., Bulatao, R.A., Buripakdi, C., Chung, B.J., Fawcett, J.T., Iritani, T., Lee, S.J., & Wu, T. (1975).The value of children: A cross-national study. Honolulu: East-West Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagozzi, R.P., & Van Loo, M.F. (1980). Decision-making and fertility: A theory of exchange in the family. In T.K. Burch (Ed.).Demographic behavior: Interdisciplinary perspectives on decision-making (pp. 91–124). Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beckman, L.J. (1987). Changes in motivation for parenthood among young married couples.Population and Environment: Behavioral and Social Issues 9, 96–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beckman, L.J., Aizenberg, R., Forsythe, A.B., & Day, T. (1983). A theoretical analysis of antecedents of young couples' fertility decisions and outcomes.Demography 20, 519–533.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belsky, J. (1984). The determinants of parenting: A process model.Child Development 55, 83–96.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blake, J., & Del Pinal, J. (1982). Educational attainment and reproductive preferences: Theory and evidence. In C. Hohn & R. Mackensen (Eds.).Determinants of fertility trends: Theories re-examined (pp. 61–77). Liege: Ordina Editions.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bulatao, R.A. (1981). Values and disvalues of children in successive childbearing decisions.Demography 18(1), 1–25.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bumpass, L.L., & Westoff, C.F. (1970).The later years of childbearing. Princeton: University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clay, D.C., & Zuiches, J.J. (1980). Reference groups and family size norms.Population and Environment: Behavioral and Social Issues 3(3,4), 262–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cochrane, S.H. (1979).Fertility and education: What do we really know? Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fawcett, J.T. (1978). The value and cost of the first child. In W.B. Miller & L.F. Newman (Eds.).The first child and family formation (pp. 244–265). Chapel Hill, NC: Carolina Population Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fawcett, J.T. (1983). Perceptions of the value of children: Satisfactions and costs. In R.A. Bulatao & R.D. Lee (Eds.).Determinants of fertility in developing countries (Vol. 1) (pp. 429–457). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fried, E.S., Hofferth, S.L., & Udry, J.R. (1980). Parity-specific and two-sex utility models of reproductive intentions.Demography 17, 1–11.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hendershot, G.E., & Placek, P.J. (1981).Predicting fertility: Demographic studies of birth expectations. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirsch, M.B., Seltzer, I.R., & Zelnik, M. (1981). Desired family size of young American women, 1971 and 1976. In G.E. Hendershot & P.J. Placek (Eds.).Predicting fertility: Demographic studies of birth expectations (pp. 207–233). Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, L.W., & Hoffman, M.L. (1973). The value of children to parents. In J.T. Fawcett (Ed.).Psychological perspective on population (pp. 19–76). New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houseknecht, S.K. (1987). Voluntary childlessness. In M.B. Sussman & S.K. Steinmetz (Eds.).Handbook of marriage and the family (pp. 369–395). New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, D.N. (1984).Personality research form manual. Port Huron, MI: Research Psychologist Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jöreskog, K.G., & Sörbom, D. (1984).LISREL VI. Mooresville, IN: Scientific Software.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, R.D., & Bulatao, R.A. (1983). The demand for children: A critical essay. In R.A. Bulatao & R.D. Lee (Eds.).Determinants of fertility in developing countries (Vol. 1) (pp. 233–287). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maddala, G.S. (1983).Limited-dependent and qualitative variables in econometrics. Cambridge, UK: University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McClelland, G.H. (1983). Family-size desires as measures of demand. In R.A. Bulatao & R.D. Lee (Eds.).Determinants of fertility in developing countries, Volume 1 (pp. 288–343). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, W.B. (1981).The psychology of reproduction. Springfield, VA: National Technical Information Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, W.B. (1986a). Proception: An important fertility behavior.Demography 23, 579–594.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, W.B. (1986b). Why some women fail to use their contraceptive method: A psychological investigation.Family Planning Perspectives 18, 27–32.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, W.B. (1992). Personality traits and developmental experiences as antecedents of childbearing motivation.Demography 29, 265–285.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, W.B. (forthcoming). A model of childbearing motivations, desires, and intentions in husbands and wives.

  • Miller, W.B., & Pasta, D.J. (forthcoming). The psychology of child timing: A measurement instrument and a model.

  • Mueller, E., & Short, K. (1983). Effects of income and wealth on the demand for children. In R.A. Bulatao & R.D. Lee (Eds.).Determinants of fertility in developing countries (Vol. 1) (pp. 580–642). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Namboodiri, N.K. (1983). Sequential fertility decision making and the life course. In R.A. Bulatao & R.D. Lee (Eds.).Determinants of fertility in developing countries, Volume 1 (pp. 444–472). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pebley, A.R., & Westoff, C.F. (1982). Women's sex preferences in the United States: 1970 to 1975.Demography 19, 177–189.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pullum, T.W. (1983). Correlates of family-size desires. In R.A. Bulatao & R.D. Lee (Eds.).Determinants of fertility in developing countries (Vol. 1) (pp. 334–368). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards, J.M., Jr., & Gottfredson, D.C. (1983). Education, work, and family formation in early adulthood.Population and Environment: Behavioral and Social Issues 6, 241–254.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryder, N.B., & Westoff, C.F. (1971).Reproduction in the United States 1965. Princeton: University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scanzoni, J.H. (1975). Sexroles, life styles, and childbearing: Changing patterns in marriage and the family. New York: The Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seccombe, K. (1991). Assessing the costs and benefits of children: Gender comparisons among childfree husbands and wives.Journal of Marriage and the Family 53, 191–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simons, R.L., Whitbeck, L.B., Conger, R.D., & Melby, J.N. (1990). Husband and wife differences in determinants of parenting: A social learning and exchange model of parental behavior.Journal of Marriage and the Family 52, 375–392.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stycos, J.M., & Weller, R.H. (1967). Female working roles and fertility.Demography 4, 210–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teachman, J.D., & Schollaert, P.T. (1989). Gender of children and birth timing.Demography 26, 411–423.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thomson, E., McDonald, E., & Bumpass, L.L. (1990). Fertility desires and fertility: Hers, his, and theirs.Demography 27(4), 579–588.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Turchi, B.A. (1975).The demand for children: The economics of fertility in the United States. Cambridge, MA: Ballinger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Udry, J.R. (1983). Do couples make fertility plans one birth at a time?Demography 20, 117–128.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • United States Bureau of the Census. (1982).1980 census of population: Classified index of industries and occupations, Final Edition. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westoff, C.F., Potter, R.G., Jr., & Sagi, P.C. (1963).The third child: A study in the prediction of fertility. Princeton: University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westoff, C.F., Potter, R.G., Jr., Sagi, P.C., & Mishler, E.G. (1961).Family growth in metropolitan America. Princeton: University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williamson, N. (1976).Sons or daughters: A cross-cultural survey of parental preferences. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Transnational Family Research Institute, USA

    Warren B. Miller

  2. DMA Corporation, USA

    David J. Pasta

Authors
  1. Warren B. Miller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. David J. Pasta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Miller, W.B., Pasta, D.J. Motivational and nonmotivational determinants of child-number desires. Popul Environ 15, 113–138 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02209405

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02209405

Keywords

Search

Navigation