The impact of fertility intentions on behavior: The case of sterilization

Robert Schoen, Nan Marie Astone, Constance A. Nathanson, Young J. Kim, Nancy Murray

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this paper, we take a new approach to the question of whether or not intentions regarding future fertility affect fertility-related behavior. Our approach has three principal features: 1) it takes sterilization as its outcome, rather than pregnancy or birth; 2) it is based on a conceptual model hi which fertility-related behavior is seen as determined by a long-range planning process, modified by unanticipated life course contingencies; and 3) it uses data on desired total family size. Using data from the National Survey of Families and Households, we find that achieving one's desired parity has a strong, persistent, and positive effect on the probability of sterilization, supporting our view of the long-term nature of fertility intentions. People do modify their behavior in the face of unanticipated contingencies, but those effects are unexpectedly small.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)61-76
Number of pages16
JournalSOC. BIOL.
Volume47
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2000

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Demography
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Sociology and Political Science

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