Fertility desires, intentions, and behaviour

Abstract

Over the past few decades, there has been considerable research on how fertility desires and intentions influence childbearing. In this chapter, we review recent trends in European fertility, and then discuss the theoretical frameworks used to explain how childbearing desires and intentions translate into fertility behaviour. The discussion looks at how uncertain and ambivalent intentions arise, and emphasises the importance of considering couples’ joint circumstances. To fully investigate how motivations and intentions are developed and adjusted over the life course, and how likely it is that these intentions will be realised, prospective life course data are required. Such data should include detailed information on people’s parental backgrounds, childhood circumstances, and experiences in adulthood across multiple life course domains. Bio-medical data should be collected in order to better integrate social and biological studies of fertility. Finally, we explore ideas for future research, such as examining the use of assisted fertility technologies.