Influences of the family of origin on the timing and quantum of fertility in the Netherlands

TY - JOUR

T1 - Influences of the family of origin on the timing and quantum of fertility in the Netherlands

AU - Rijken, A.J.

AU - Liefbroer, A.C.

N1 - Reporting year: 2009

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - This study examined to what extent family of origin influences age at first birth and final number of children. We took into account direct intergenerational transmission of fertility behaviour, family-life experiences around age 15, and the wider social context of the family of origin. Hazard regression analyses (N 6,630) and Poisson regression analyses (N 3,736) were performed using data from the 2002 03 wave of the Netherlands Kinship Panel Study. Besides a positive relation between parents’ and their children’s fertility patterns, we find that positive experiences of family life around age 15 encourage childbearing: the less conflict between parents experienced by the child during early adolescence, the younger the adult child at first birth, and the larger the number of the adult child’s children. The number of children is also influenced positively by frequency of contact with non-residential relatives during early adolescence. The socio-economic status and religiosity of the parental family also affect fertility. Keywords: fertility; first birth; number of children; intergenerational transmission; family life; kinship network; social status; the Netherlands

AB - This study examined to what extent family of origin influences age at first birth and final number of children. We took into account direct intergenerational transmission of fertility behaviour, family-life experiences around age 15, and the wider social context of the family of origin. Hazard regression analyses (N 6,630) and Poisson regression analyses (N 3,736) were performed using data from the 2002 03 wave of the Netherlands Kinship Panel Study. Besides a positive relation between parents’ and their children’s fertility patterns, we find that positive experiences of family life around age 15 encourage childbearing: the less conflict between parents experienced by the child during early adolescence, the younger the adult child at first birth, and the larger the number of the adult child’s children. The number of children is also influenced positively by frequency of contact with non-residential relatives during early adolescence. The socio-economic status and religiosity of the parental family also affect fertility. Keywords: fertility; first birth; number of children; intergenerational transmission; family life; kinship network; social status; the Netherlands

U2 - 10.1080/00324720802621575

DO - 10.1080/00324720802621575

M3 - Article

SN - 0032-4728

VL - 63

SP - 71

EP - 85

JO - Population Studies: a journal of demography

JF - Population Studies: a journal of demography

IS - 1

ER -