Having a child through medically assisted reproduction

A social stratification perspective

Bibliographic Data

ID24018923
AuthorsA Goisis (0000-0002-3038-0337, Social Research Institute, University College London ,), Alina Pelikh (0000-0002-1359-1749, Social Research Institute, University College London ,), Maria Palma (0000-0001-8306-7515, Social Research Institute, University College London ,), Pekka Martikainen (0000-0001-9374-1438, Helsinki Institute for Demography and Population Health, University of Helsinki ,), Niina Metsä‐simola (0000-0001-8813-3980, Helsinki Institute for Demography and Population Health, University of Helsinki ,), Hanna Remes (Helsinki Institute for Demography and Population Health, University of Helsinki ,)
Year2026
Publication date2026-08-06
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Forces (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0037-7732 • E-ISSN: 1534-7605
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/sf/soag100
OpenAlexW7197004736
LanguageEN
References cited52

Prior research documents marked social disparities in births through medically assisted reproduction (MAR), which are often attributed to unequal access to treatment. However, social inequalities may also arise from processes operating after MAR treatments begin. We examine this possibility using population-level administrative register data from Finland, a context where MAR treatments are generously subsidized and access barriers are relatively low. Focusing on all childless women who initiated MAR treatments between 1995 and 2019, we analyze whether and why women with tertiary education are more likely than less-educated women to have a child through MAR. The results show that, among childless women who start MAR treatments, those with tertiary education are more likely to have a child after MAR than women with below tertiary education. This educational gradient is partly explained by differences in early treatment discontinuation, uptake of more invasive and more successful MAR treatments, and per-cycle treatment success rates. The results support the hypothesis that social stratification processes in MAR outcomes continues after the start of MAR treatments.

Context (archaeology) · Higher education · Inequality · Perspective (graphical) · Social class · Social inequality · Social stratification · Assisted Reproductive Technology and Twin Pregnancy · Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions · Reproductive Health and Technologies