Determinants of childbearing among Thai-Muslim generation Y in Thailand

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of childbearing among Thai-Muslim Generation Y (those who were born between 1982 and 1997) in the southernmost provinces of Thailand. The data were collected from 1,200 respondents using structured questionnaires. A logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship of various factors on childbearing. The findings revealed that the factors inducing an increase of childbearing were age, living in municipal area, having a household income of at least 30,000 baht, prospective job opportunities, family financial status, and feeling secure about having assistance in taking care of the children. And as much as these factors had a substantial bearing, the most salient factor on having children were cultural considerations. Conversely, the factors that decreased the opportunities of childbearing were being in common law marriages without legal marriage registration, having at least a secondary education, gaining adequate income, having access to contraception, the parents, company, and also being concerned about whether maternal leave with pay is possible. All of these have had a statistically significant relationship.