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Why Are Women Delaying Motherhood in Germany?

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  • Laura Romeu Gordo

Abstract

German fertility trends show that the average age at which women have their first child has increased in recent decades. Moreover, researchers have argued that delayed maternity is an important factor in reduced fertility. Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), this paper contributes to the debate about maternity timing and reduced fertility in Germany by analyzing some of the factors determining the delay of motherhood. The results suggest that German women who have accumulated more years of education and longer work experience at the time of marriage delay motherhood more. On the other hand, women with higher labor income and a higher contribution to household income delay motherhood less. The results confirm that women consolidate their careers before motherhood in order to reduce career costs. Therefore, if fertility rates are to be increased in Germany further policies that aim to combine women's careers and motherhood need to be developed.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Romeu Gordo, 2009. "Why Are Women Delaying Motherhood in Germany?," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(4), pages 57-75.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:femeco:v:15:y:2009:i:4:p:57-75
    DOI: 10.1080/13545700903153955
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cheti Nicoletti & Maria Letizia Tanturri, 2008. "Differences in Delaying Motherhood Across European Countries: Empirical Evidence from the ECHP," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 24(2), pages 157-183, June.
    2. Rondinelli, Concetta & Aassve, Arnstein & C. Billari, Francesco, 2006. "Income and childbearing decisions: evidence from Italy," ISER Working Paper Series 2006-06, Institute for Social and Economic Research.
    3. Drolet, Marie, 2002. "Wives, Mothers and Wages: Does Timing Matter?," Analytical Studies Branch Research Paper Series 2002186e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies Branch.
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    Cited by:

    1. Stijn Baert, 2014. "Career lesbians. Getting hired for not having kids?," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(6), pages 543-561, November.
    2. Lunn, Pete & Fahey, Tony, 2011. "Households and Family Structures in Ireland," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number BKMNEXT202, June.
    3. Mihajlo (Michael) Jakovljevic & Laura Romeu-Gordo & Mira Vukovic & Maja Krstic, 2017. "Gender-Specific Health-Seeking Behavior and Income Status among the Elderly Citizens of Serbia," Eastern European Business and Economics Journal, Eastern European Business and Economics Studies Centre, vol. 3(1), pages 67-86.
    4. Stijn Baert & Ann-Sophie De Pauw & Nick Deschacht, 2016. "Do Employer Preferences Contribute to Sticky Floors?," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 69(3), pages 714-736, May.
    5. Schaffner, Sandra & Siebert-Meyerhoff, Andrea, 2017. "The effect of schooling age on fertility," Ruhr Economic Papers 741, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.

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    Keywords

    Delay of motherhood; fertility timing;

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