First Births in America: Changes in the Timing of Parenthood.

Abstract

Americans today are becoming parents at older ages; more of them are also remaining childless. This book addresses what causes some members of the population to choose delay or permanent childlessness how far they pervade American society and how their parenthood schedules compare with those in other developed countries. The authors bring a wide variety of data sources to bear on the question of whether these delays will be greater and permanent childlessness more widespread in the future; they employ vital registration data cross-sectional studies and longitudinal surveys. It is concluded that few young Americans intend to remain childless but that the competition of educational and career goals and the presence of unfavorable economic conditions lead to postponement of childbearing. Similar parenthood schedules were recorded during the Great Depression. The authors refute the prediction that present trends will continue in the future. Strong period effects have occurred and are likely to occur again; they are unpredictable by their very nature. Although period changes in parenthood timing appear to affect virtually all sectors of the American population there are also important exceptions. Recent divergence between white and black behavior is 1 and the persistence of very early parenthood in both good and poor times is another. Contrasts with Japan show that the parenthood schedules of contemporary Americans are not an inevitable outcome of the forces of economic development and modernization. Rather the American pattern is 1 possible response that is consistent with its culture institutions and past history.