Fertility decisions in transition: young adults’ perceptions on fertility three decades apart in Spain

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the generational change in the reasoning regarding fertility decisions between young Spanish adults in the mid-1980s and young Spanish adults in the early 2010s and to test the extent to which the theoretical perspectives on fertility are represented in the reasoning of individuals. For almost thirty years, Spain has had low fertility levels that contrast with the persistent ideal family size of two children. However, the literature has barely explored individuals' reasoning for fertility decisionmaking over time. This paper seizes the unique opportunity to analyze 97 in-depth personal interviews of highly educated young adults in urban Spain from two independent studies conducted in 1985 and 2012. The results indicate that although the value change associated with the second demographic transition remains over time, the changes in age norms and partnership formation norms underlie the main differences between the two generations. Economic uncertainty and the lack of support for work-life balance stand out as persistent structural factors that influence the fertility decisions in both samples. In addition, the respondents' narratives confirm that the transition of gender-role norms towards greater egalitarianism remains unfinished. By placing value on the reasoning of individuals, this study contributes to understanding how the macrolevel theoretical framework that explains fertility evolved over time and adapts to the microlevel of analysis.

Transition to Adulthood and the Intergenerational Transmission of Disadvantages Among Young Adults in Spain

“…Extensive research has examined the underlying factors contributing to these patterns (Bueno 2020;Cantó et al 2022;Moreno 2012;Vieira & Gamundi). In addition to structural economic factors, such as educational expansion, increased female labor force participation and financial precarity among young adults, cultural explanations have been proposed to account for the prevalence of delayed transition to adulthood and low fertility (Barbieri et al 2015;Castro-Martín 1992).The Second Demographic Transition (SDT) theory posits that greater individualism among younger generations is a key driver of delayed transition to adulthood, family formation, and low fertility (van de Kaa 2001).…”

La evolución de las normas sociales relativas a las transiciones familiares en España

“…En el caso español, los individuos se han ido liberando de limitaciones normativas impuestas por instituciones como la familia y la iglesia desde finales del siglo XX (Ayuso, 2019a;2019b). Las generaciones más jóvenes siguen percibiendo que existen normas sociales sobre cuándo formar una familia, pero no experimentan la misma presión que generaciones previas para casarse o tener hijos entre los 20 y los 30 años (Bueno, 2020). Esto hace conjeturar que el retraso en las transiciones familiares en España probablemente haya ido acompañado de cambios en las normas relativas a la edad idónea para estos eventos vitales y de mayor tolerancia a la pluralidad de opciones.…”

La fecunditat segons la diferència educativa i laboral entre cònjuges: tant hi fa?

“…Un, el propiciat per la inversió de l'escletxa de gènere en l'educació, que ha donat lloc a un major nombre de parelles homògames de nivell educatiu alt i a un creixement de les parelles hipògames Tot això, no ho oblidem, esdevé en un context laboral de gran inseguretat econòmica com l'espanyol que, a més, porta a convertir el model de doble ingrés en una peça clau de l'engranatge familiar. Si, a més, li afegim un sistema de polítiques familiars i de conciliació que, tot i haver avançat, encara no dóna suport, de manera eficient, a la coresponsabilitat en el treball reproductiu, contribueix a un clima que porta a moltes parelles a no aconseguir arribar al seu nombre ideal de fills (Bueno, 2020), especialment aquelles amb menys recursos.…”