Childbearing motivation at the onset of emerging adulthood

Bibliographic Data

ID12601201
AuthorsMonika Mynarska (0000-0002-9702-6009, Institute of Psychology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland, corresponding author), Jolanta Rytel (0000-0002-9244-7592, Institute of Psychology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland)
Year2022
Volume26
Issue9
Pages1163-1181
Publication date2022-06-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Youth Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1367-6261 • E-ISSN: 1469-9680
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13676261.2022.2080536
OpenAlexW4281874455
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited58

Teenagers’ motivations and desires related to parenthood are important for their reproductive behavior in their teens and also constitute the origin of their future childbearing choices. The study investigates which perceived consequences of childbearing are the strongest predictors of desire to have children in the future, among late teens, at the onset of emerging adulthood. In a sample of 1803 Polish men and women (ages 18–20), their desire for children can be explained by their perceptions of the drawbacks of child care and the emotional values of children, mostly related to infancy. For men, the satisfaction of raising a child was also important. For women, traditional and instrumental values of children play a significant role, suggesting some normative influences. The relationship between fears related to children’s future well-being and childbearing desire was more complex, moderated by other perceived costs of children. Based on a small follow-up study (n = 107), we provided the first tentative evidence on the stability of childbearing motivations and desires over the transition to adulthood

Developmental psychology · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Cognitive Abilities and Testing · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Psychology

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