TY - JOUR

T1 - 'Doing it in the right order' - childless men's intentions regarding family formation

T2 - childless men's intentions regarding family formation

AU - Hviid Malling, Gritt Marie

AU - Pitsillos, Tryfonas

AU - Tydén, Tanja

AU - Hammarberg, Karin

AU - Ziebe, Søren

AU - Friberg, Britt

AU - Schmidt, Lone

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - In high-income countries, parental age at first birth has increased and this postponement increases the risk of involuntary childlessness or having fewer children than desired. This interview study was conducted in Denmark and Sweden among childless men (n = 29) in their last year of an education. The aim was to explore the role of individual and societal factors on fertility decision-making and men's reflections on barriers and enablers for earlier family formation. Data were analysed with thematic content analysis. Almost all participants wanted children in the future. Overall, there was a desire to follow the 'right chronology': get educated, having a stable relationship, employment and a good financial status before having children. While most men felt mature enough to have children, they were still not ready. Influences from within the inner social circle, societal expectations, the need for security and stability and being ready to give up freedom and individuality were factors that affected participants' preferred timing of parenthood. Most men did not have suggestions for how earlier family formation could be supported. Results suggest a gap between the ideal biological and ideal social age of family formation that may lead to unfulfilled parenthood aspirations.

AB - In high-income countries, parental age at first birth has increased and this postponement increases the risk of involuntary childlessness or having fewer children than desired. This interview study was conducted in Denmark and Sweden among childless men (n = 29) in their last year of an education. The aim was to explore the role of individual and societal factors on fertility decision-making and men's reflections on barriers and enablers for earlier family formation. Data were analysed with thematic content analysis. Almost all participants wanted children in the future. Overall, there was a desire to follow the 'right chronology': get educated, having a stable relationship, employment and a good financial status before having children. While most men felt mature enough to have children, they were still not ready. Influences from within the inner social circle, societal expectations, the need for security and stability and being ready to give up freedom and individuality were factors that affected participants' preferred timing of parenthood. Most men did not have suggestions for how earlier family formation could be supported. Results suggest a gap between the ideal biological and ideal social age of family formation that may lead to unfulfilled parenthood aspirations.

U2 - 10.1080/14647273.2020.1778803

DO - 10.1080/14647273.2020.1778803

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 32567408

VL - 25

SP - 188

EP - 196

JO - Human Fertility

JF - Human Fertility

SN - 1464-7273

IS - 1

ER -