scholarly journals Work and fertility in Taiwan: How women’s and men’s career sequences associate with fertility outcomes?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen-Hao Hsu

There has been much debate over the micro-level relationship between employment situations and fertility in Europe and Northern America. However, related research in East Asia is scant, although countries in this region have some of the lowest fertility rates in the world. Moreover, most studies analyze the employment-fertility relationship from a static perspective and only for women, which underemphasizes life-course dynamics and gender heterogeneity of employment careers and their fertility implications. Drawing on retrospective data from the 2017 Taiwan Social Change Survey (TSCS), this study explores women’s and men’s career trajectories between ages 18 and 40 in Taiwan using sequence cluster analyses. It also examines how career variations associate with different timing and quantum of birth. Empirical results show that economically inactive women experience faster motherhood transitions and have more children by age 40 than women with stable full-time careers. For men, having an unstable career associates with slower fatherhood transitions and a lower number of children. For both genders, self-employed people are the earliest in parenthood transitions and have the highest number of children by midlife. Our findings demonstrate sharp gender contrasts in employment careers and their diversified fertility implications in low-fertility Taiwan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Stefani ◽  
Gabriele Prati

Research on the relationship between fertility and gender ideology revealed inconsistent results. In the present study, we argue that inconsistencies may be due to the fact that such relationship may be nonlinear. We hypothesize a U- shaped relationship between two dimensions of gender ideology (i.e. primacy of breadwinner role and acceptance of male privilege) and fertility rates. We conducted a cross-national analysis of 60 countries using data from the World Values Survey as well as the World Population Prospects 2019. Controlling for gross domestic product, we found support for a U-shaped relationship between gender ideology and fertility. Higher levels of fertility rates were found at lower and especially higher levels of traditional gender ideology, while a medium level of gender ideology was associated with the lowest fertility rate. This curvilinear relationship is in agreement with the phase of the gender revolution in which the country is located. Traditional beliefs are linked to a complementary division of private versus public sphere between sexes, while egalitarian attitudes are associated with a more equitable division. Both conditions strengthen fertility. Instead, as in the transition phase, intermediate levels of gender ideology’s support are associated with an overload and a difficult reconciliation of the roles that women have to embody (i.e. working and nurturing) so reducing fertility. The present study has contributed to the literature by addressing the inconsistencies of prior research by demonstrating that the relationship between gender ideology and fertility rates is curvilinear rather than linear.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-75
Author(s):  
Yana A. Skryabina

The article is devoted to the analysis of the fertility rate dynamics in the Republic of Bashkortostan and the study of the reproductive behaviour of the population entering into a registered marriage. The author examines the crude and total fertility rates, the net population reproduction rate, the total fertility rate by the order of births, as well as age-specific fertility rates. In addition, basing on the data of population surveys, the author regards reproductive intentions of citizens applying for marriage in the registry office, as well as reasons that may prevent them from having a child. The study shows that the Republic of Bashkortostan is characterized by a low fertility rate; the generation of children does not replace the generation of parents. The reproductive intentions of the respondents measured by the desired and expected number of children correspond to the small (two-child) family model. Among the main reasons that can prevent the birth of a child, the first two are financial and housing difficulties, and third is the desire to live for oneself for a while.


Demography ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ester Fanelli ◽  
Paola Profeta

Abstract For a sample of Central and Eastern European countries, characterized by historically high female labor force participation and currently low fertility rates, we analyze whether fathers' increased involvement in the family (housework and childcare) has the potential of increasing both fertility and maternal employment. Using two waves of the Generations and Gender Survey, we show that more paternal involvement in the family increases the likelihood that the mother will have a second child and work full-time. Men's fertility and work decisions are instead unrelated to mothers' housework and childcare. We also show that fathers' involvement in housework plays a more important role than involvement in childcare. The role of fathers' involvement in housework is confirmed when we consider women who initially wanted or intended to have a child, whose partner also wanted a child, or who intended to continue working.


2019 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Albert Esteve ◽  
Rocío Treviño

The Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) has just published the microdata of the 2018 Fertility Survey. In a country that sets demographic records its publication has filled a void of more than two decades since the last survey was carried out in 1999. The figures for life expectancy in Spain are among of the highest in the world and those for fertility are among the lowest. The convergence of these two trends directly influences the structure of the population, curtailing its natural growth and increasing its average age. In such a situation, any attempt to restore fertility requires a sound diagnosis of the underlying causes. In this number of Perspectives Demogràfiques, we present the first results of the Fertility Survey and explore the causes of the low fertility rates, paying particular attention to women who have not had children (childlessness). The results show that more than half the women who are not mothers wished to have children and that there are several reasons, which vary over the life cycle, that have made this impossible.


Author(s):  
Mamta Bisht

For years mothers had been doing a full time job of upbringing their children and addressing their basic needs. However, the present scenario is such that it is not feasible to make a living with just one person’s earnings. Hence, women set out to support their family and the children are taken care of by the secondary caregivers. A number of research studies have revealed that the majority of children suffer from mild to moderate behavioural problems during the early developmental stages. Keeping these changing patterns in mind, the researcher conducted a comparative study at Race Course, Dehradun to assess the behavioural problems of children among working and non-working mothers. The main objectives of the study were to assess the Behavioural problems of children among working and non-working mothers and compare the Behavioural problems of children between working and non-working mothers. Data was collected from 60 working and 60 non-working mothers with the help of non-probability purposive sampling techniques. A structured Child Behaviour Assessment Scale was developed to collect the data from the mothers of children aged 4-12 years. Reliability of the tool was found to be 0.7. The study results revealed that 60% of working mothers reported Borderline Behaviour in their children. Abnormal behaviour consisting of hyperactivity, bad habits and social problems etc. were reported by 15% of working mothers. Children among non-working mothers reported higher levels of anxiety, and conduct problems. Significant association was found between Behavioural problems of children among working mothers and type of family, number of children, age of the child, and gender of the child. Behavioural problems in childhood may lead to limited functional capabilities in children and more serious problems in adulthood. Nurses can play a major role in diminishing Behavioral problems by providing guidance and counselling for the children and their mothers. The focus should be on addressing the emotional needs of the children during the early stages of development.


2002 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-38
Author(s):  
Karen Porter

Most people would agree that enslaving children or forcing them to work in sweatshops or brothels are morally reprehensible practices. Yet the number of children laboring in hazardous and exploitative conditions around the world continues to grow. In June 1998, the International Labour Organization reported that, in the developing countries, some 250 million children aged 5 to 14 work— 120 million of them full time. Outlawing child labor may seem to be the obvious solution, but it is not the best way to protect children.


2013 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 753-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
SANJAY K. MOHANTY ◽  
MAMTA RAJBHAR

SummaryDemographic research in India over the last two decades has focused extensively on fertility change and gender bias at the micro-level, and less has been done at the district level. Using data from the Census of India 1991–2011 and other sources, this paper shows the broad pattern of fertility transition and trends in the child sex ratio in India, and examines the determinants of the child sex ratio at the district level. During 1991–2011, while the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) declined by 1.2 children per woman, the child sex ratio fell by 30 points in the districts of India. However, the reduction in fertility was slower in the high-fertility compared with the low-fertility districts. The gender differential in under-five mortality increased in many districts of India over the study period. The decline in the child sex ratio was higher in the transitional compared with the low-fertility districts. The transitional districts are at higher risk of a low child sex ratio due to an increased gender differential in mortality and increase in the practice of sex-selective abortions. The sex ratio at birth and gender differential in mortality explains one-third of the variation, while region alone explains a quarter of the variation in the child sex ratio in the districts of India.


2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-131
Author(s):  
Sayantani Chatterjee

AbstractFertility in West Bengal is one of the lowest in India, and this relies heavily on the use of traditional methods of contraception. Social scientists and demographers have pointed to the historical role of the diffusion process of adhering to a small family size. The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in Kolkata district, the state capital, is the lowest in the country, and has been a centre of low fertility historically. However, stark differences in rural–urban fertility rates have existed over the last few decades in West Bengal, but these have now started to narrow. This study aimed to capture the macro-level rural–urban differences in fertility levels and preferences in the West Bengal, and understand how socioeconomic factors affect these. Data were drawn from the Census of India (2011) and NFHS-4 (2015–16). Using census data and the Reverse-Surviving Method, the TFR of West Bengal was estimated to be 1.9, varying between 2.1 and 1.7 in rural and urban areas. The rural–urban gap in the district-level fertility rates was prominent, specifically in districts with higher levels of fertility. Kolkata, Hugli and North Twenty-Four Parganas had the lowest-low fertility (TFR = <1.5). Fewer than half of women with only one living child wanted further children, and this was somewhat higher in rural areas. Around 40% of women had achieved their desired number of children. However, a substantial proportion (43.1%) had a lower number of children than desired, varying between 45.9% and 41.7% in urban and rural areas, respectively. Contraception use, female education and age at marriage, along with the other socioeconomic factors, had a greater influence on rural fertility rates than on urban counterparts in the districts of West Bengal. Further research should be directed at understanding the contemporary fertility decline as well as the gap between ideal and desired number of children, specifically in those districts with very low fertility rates.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Ronnie

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of the pursuit of academic capital – a form of cultural capital – on the working lives of mature students. The paper highlights the uneven educational conversion experience across class and gender for a group of mature students and argues that the higher education environment needs to be and do more for students in terms of support. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 42 in-depth individual interviews were conducted over an 18 month period with 13 mature students located at a South African university. The students in the study – all in full-time employment – were enroled on a part-time management programme. Findings – Through focusing on the narratives of mature students attending a South African university, the findings show that class trajectory and gender work differently for mature students, shaping both reasons for entry into higher education and influencing the relationships between mature individuals and significant others in their working lives. Practical implications – The findings highlight the need for awareness regarding the role educational institutions can and should play in addressing the challenges faced by these non-traditional students. The world of work should also create an enabling environment where support and encouragement are provided. Originality/value – Although several articles discuss the experiences of mature students, few delve into the issue of mature students’ ability to convert or exchange their academic capital to something of value within the world of work. The reasons for returning to study as mature individuals are also explored in the paper.


This book is a sequel to Contemporary grandparenting, published in 2012 (Arber and Timonen, 2012). Both macro and micro level issues are covered, with a particular focus on gender, welfare states, economic development, and grandparental agency; this ensures that the book covers many topic areas of greatest relevance and interest. It emphasises that grandparenting takes many diverse forms and cannot be reduced to a small number of ‘types’. Grandparenting has evolved considerably, and continues to evolve, as a result of both socio-demographic and economic influences, and grandparents’ own agency. The book contains analyses of topics that have so far received relatively little attention, such as transnational grandparenting and gender differences in grandparenting practices. It is the only collection that brings together theory-driven research on grandparenting from a wide variety of cultural and welfare state contexts - including chapters on Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and Australia - drawing broad lines of debate as well as outlining country-level analyses. The book therefore combines up-to-date empirical findings with new theorising that will be relevant to academics, researchers, students, and experts working in the realms of family and old-age policy and practice.


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