Gender Role Attitudes, Family Formation and Well-being in Ireland

Abstract

(from the chapter) The last several decades have witnessed major changes in gender roles and family patterns, as well as a falling birth rate in Ireland and the rest of Europe. While the traditional family is now being replaced in many cases by new family forms, we do not know the reasons why people are making the choices they are and whether or not these choices are leading to greater well-being. Demographic research has attempted to explain these new trends in family formation, yet there has been virtually no previous research in Ireland on people's attitudes towards family formation and having children. The purpose of the present study was to examine people's attitudes to family formation in the context of changes in gender role attitudes and behaviour and the profound demographic changes that are taking place in Ireland. These include an increase in cohabitation, a later age at marriage and at the birth of the first child. They also include a 50% drop in the birth rate over the last 30 years and a consequently smaller family size. While it is known that falling birth rates are in part due to economic conditions, availability and affordability of childcare and availability of flexible working, little or no research has examined the social psychological factors which contribute to people living in various types of family units and having fewer children or no children. The present study was designed to explore people's attitudes towards these issues to help us to better understand the reasons behind these social and demographic changes, i.e. why are people making the decisions which are leading to these changes? In addition, the present study examined well-being among people in different family situations, with and without children, in order to better understand the psychological effects of the changing nature of the family. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved)