Determinants of second birth risks in Great Britain and West Germany -abstract-

Publication type

Conference Paper

Series

BHPS-2007 Conference: the 2007 British Household Panel Survey Research Conference, 5 July -7 July 2007, Colchester, UK

Authors

Publication date

June 1, 2007

Abstract:

In this paper, we examine how female education and income influence second and third births in Great Britain and western Germany, using the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP) and the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS). Risks of transition to the 2nd and 3rd child are higher for university-educated women in both countries. We examine to what extent this is due to factors common to both countries. These are later ages at first birth, resulting in a perceived time-squeeze, as well as self-selection of especially family-oriented women into the group of mothers of one child. The partner's characteristics are more important for decisions to have another child in western Germany, presumably due to stronger orientation towards the male-breadwinner model of the family. Characteristics of the woman's work situation are more important in Great Britain. No unanimous support is found for the hypothesis that, given the higher level of acceptance but also higher cost of childcare in Great Britain, female income would be more important for the decision to have another child there.

Subjects

Link

- http://www.iser.essex.ac.uk/bhps/2007/programme/data/abstracts/Zabel.pdf

#509292

News

Latest findings, new research

Publications search

Search all research by subject and author

Podcasts

Researchers discuss their findings and what they mean for society

Projects

Background and context, methods and data, aims and outputs

Events

Conferences, seminars and workshops

Survey methodology

Specialist research, practice and study

Taking the long view

ISER's annual report

Themes

Key research themes and areas of interest