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Stability and change in fertility intentions in Britain, 1991-2007

Stability and change in fertility intentions in Britain, 1991-2007
Stability and change in fertility intentions in Britain, 1991-2007
The very low fertility experienced in several European countries in recent decades in the presence of higher intended family sizes has renewed interest in fertility intentions data. While the overall level of childbearing in Britain over the past few decades has remained relatively stable and high in comparison with many other European countries, we have seen sizeable increases in the age at which childbearing starts. This study uses data from the 1991 to 2007 General Household Surveys to examine trends in family intentions data in an attempt to arrive at a better understanding of these recent fertility developments. First, time trends in intended family size are compared with trends in observed fertility. Next, aggregate changes in intentions regarding the level and timing of fertility across the life course for cohorts are investigated together with the extent to which these aggregate intentions are matched by the subsequent childbearing of cohorts. Finally, both change across the life course and uncertainty in family intentions are examined. We conclude by discussing what these findings might tell us about contemporary reproductive decision making.
0307-4463
13-35
Ní Bhrolcháin, Máire
c9648b58-880e-4296-a173-7241449e0078
Beaujouan, Éva
40b09ca2-8f57-4066-908f-018a8e6af93c
Berrington, Ann
bd0fc093-310d-4236-8126-ca0c7eb9ddde
Ní Bhrolcháin, Máire
c9648b58-880e-4296-a173-7241449e0078
Beaujouan, Éva
40b09ca2-8f57-4066-908f-018a8e6af93c
Berrington, Ann
bd0fc093-310d-4236-8126-ca0c7eb9ddde

Ní Bhrolcháin, Máire, Beaujouan, Éva and Berrington, Ann (2010) Stability and change in fertility intentions in Britain, 1991-2007. Population Trends, 141 (1), Autumn Issue, 13-35. (doi:10.1057/pt.2010.19). (PMID:20927027)

Record type: Article

Abstract

The very low fertility experienced in several European countries in recent decades in the presence of higher intended family sizes has renewed interest in fertility intentions data. While the overall level of childbearing in Britain over the past few decades has remained relatively stable and high in comparison with many other European countries, we have seen sizeable increases in the age at which childbearing starts. This study uses data from the 1991 to 2007 General Household Surveys to examine trends in family intentions data in an attempt to arrive at a better understanding of these recent fertility developments. First, time trends in intended family size are compared with trends in observed fertility. Next, aggregate changes in intentions regarding the level and timing of fertility across the life course for cohorts are investigated together with the extent to which these aggregate intentions are matched by the subsequent childbearing of cohorts. Finally, both change across the life course and uncertainty in family intentions are examined. We conclude by discussing what these findings might tell us about contemporary reproductive decision making.

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Published date: 2010

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Local EPrints ID: 187557
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/187557
ISSN: 0307-4463
PURE UUID: 440d9144-39e8-4c1f-acaf-0de21f6c2e36
ORCID for Ann Berrington: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-1683-6668

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Date deposited: 17 May 2011 13:55
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:47

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Contributors

Author: Máire Ní Bhrolcháin
Author: Éva Beaujouan
Author: Ann Berrington ORCID iD

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