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The Consequences of Couples' Pregnancy Intentions for Early Parental Behaviors and Infant Health: Does It Matter Who Is Asked?

Author

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  • Maureen R. Waller

    (Cornell University)

  • Marianne Bitler

    (University of California-Irvine, NBER, and IZA)

Abstract

Previous research has found that pregnancy intentions are predictive of some early parental behaviors and infant health outcomes. However, most studies have relied on mothers? reports of pregnancy intentions and have examined only maternal behaviors which may affect children?s health. This analysis draws on baseline data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a 20-city study of unmarried parents and their children, to examine the relationship between pregnancy intentions and early parental and child outcomes. The study takes advantage of data collected from fathers and mothers to look at an alternate measure of pregnancy intention whether either parent considered abortion at the time they learned of the pregnancy and whether it is associated with maternal and paternal behaviors during the pregnancy and with infant birth weight. Results from regression analyses show that mothers are less likely to initiate early prenatal care and fathers are less likely to make cash or in-kind contributions during the pregnancy when one or both parents considered abortion. Which parents' intentions are influential varies by outcome as well as by which parent reported it. Having both parents or the mother only consider abortion is also negatively associated with mothers; reports of all parental behaviors, while having both parents or the father only consider abortion is negatively associated with fathers? reports of their in-kind contributions and both parents' reports of fathers' cash contributions. Parents' considerations are not significantly associated with infant birth weight. For early initiation of prenatal care, mothers? reports of having considered abortion are consequential but fathers' reports are not. Fathers' considerations matter for their reports of their own contributions, but these outcomes are even worse when both parents considered abortion. Because findings differ by each parent's intentions and by which parent reported paternal contributions, future research examining the consequences of pregnancy intention should examine measures of pregnancy intention and paternal behaviors reported by both parents.

Suggested Citation

  • Maureen R. Waller & Marianne Bitler, 2007. "The Consequences of Couples' Pregnancy Intentions for Early Parental Behaviors and Infant Health: Does It Matter Who Is Asked?," Working Papers 1013, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Research on Child Wellbeing..
    • Handle: RePEc:pri:crcwel:wp08-01-ff.pdf
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    3. Elizabeth Thomson, 1997. "Couple childbearing desires, intentions, and births," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 34(3), pages 343-354, August.
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