Does it take a village to raise a child?

European Journal of Population, 2019

This research studied the relationship between parenthood and life satisfaction in Switzerland. We tested predictions derived from set-point theory, the economic model of parenthood, the approaches that underscore work-family conflict and the psychological rewards from parenthood, and the 'taste for children' theory. We used Swiss Household Panel data (2000-2018) to analyse how life satisfaction changed during parenthood (fixed-effects regression) separately for a first child and a second child, mothers and fathers, and various socio-demographic groups. Our results showed that having a second child, which is common in Switzerland, correlates negatively with mothers' life satisfaction. The observed patterns are consistent with the idea that mothers' life satisfaction trajectories reflect work-family conflict. We found partial support for the set-point and the 'taste for children' theories. Our results did not support the approaches that emphasize the importance of psychological rewards from parenthood.

2015

Tijdschrift voor Sociale en Economische Geschiedenis/ The Low Countries Journal of Social and Economic History

Using a unique database containing detailed household information of more than 30,000 Dutch children (1850-1909), we compare infant and child mortality in the 'stem family' region of Eastern Netherlands to mortality in the 'nuclear family' northwestern part of the country. We elaborate on the relation between household structure and mortality by adapting the model proposed by Mosley and Chen. We study the impact of different types of co-resident kin (grandparents, siblings, uncles and aunts) in 'normal' situations (both parents alive) and 'crisis' situations (one or both parents absent). Our findings confirm that intact three-generation families-which were found mainly in the stem region-were beneficial for young children, provided there were not too many young children. In the nuclear area, co-residence with grandparents was an efficient way to counteract family crises. In the stem family region, this 'safety valve' function of households was less conspicuous. Overall, however, kin functioned in the same way in both regions, with some kin (especially grandparents) playing an altruistic role, having a positive effect on child survival, and other kin competing for resources and diminishing the survival chances of infants and children. 1. Frans van Poppel, 'Children in one-parent families: Survival as an indicator of the role of the parents',

Human Organization, 1996

Family assistance helps many teenage or young unmarried mothers to cope with poverty and the challenges of childrearing. Kin support to young mothers, while beneficial, should not be romanticized. It also often entails conflict, stress, frustration, and disappointment due to interpersonal tensions, or conflicting interests, or relatives' limited ability to provide support. Nearly always the underlying issue is a discrepancy between the young mother's expectations and her support network's performance. We describe three sources of unrealistic expectations: relatives' initial reactions to her pregnancy, a history of early childbearing by relatives, and desires for a relationship with baby's father.

Journal of Population Economics, 2018

We investigate the role of individual labor income as a moderator of parental subjective well-being trajectories before and after the birth of the first child in Germany. Analyzing the German Socio-Economic Panel Survey (SOEP), we found that income matters negatively for parental life satisfaction after the first birth, though with important differences by education and gender. In particular, among better educated parents, those with higher income experience a steeper decrease in their subjective well-being. Income is measured as the average of individual labor income within 3 years before the birth. We provide evidence that our results are robust to potential endogeneity between income and first childbirth using the individual labor income at 3 years from the event, and for an alternative measure, i.e. the equivalent household income. Results are discussed in terms of different aspirations and difficulties parents may experience, especially in terms of work and family balance.

Demographic Research, 2018

BACKGROUND Recent studies have suggested a decline in subjective well-being after the birth of a first child. Yet parents' subjective well-being is, in general, linked positively to wanting and to having additional children. OBJECTIVE The paper addresses the question of whether new parents' satisfaction with their overall life and several specific life spheres modifies their expectations about having a second, or further, child. METHODS Relying on twelve waves of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia panel survey (2001-2012), we apply piecewise growth models to a sample of individuals in couples who experience parenthood for the first time. We model, separately by gender, the relationship between satisfaction in seventeen life domains, overall life satisfaction, and fertility expectations during the first three years following the birth of a first child. RESULTS Results suggest that a decline in new parents' life satisfaction, overall and in different life domains, is associated with a significant decline in fertility expectations. The most important domains are family, social relationship, and work, although with differences by gender. In fact, mothers' fertility expectations are positively associated with their satisfaction with career prospects and with their work-family balance, whereas, for fathers, fertility expectations are positively associated with their financial situation. CONTRIBUTION Our study provides strong evidence that several life domains-and new parents'

Applied Research in Quality of Life, 2014

Journal of Family Psychology, 2010

Research showed that following the birth of a first child, parents increase contact with family members and diminish contact with friends, however, these changes may differ when conception is achieved through assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Based on the convoy model (Kahn & Antonucci, 1980) perspective of close relationships, we examined changes across the transition to parenthood in the social networks and support of men and women that conceived spontaneously or through ART. Thirty one women and 22 men (22 couples) that conceived through ART and 28 women and 24 men (24 couples) with a spontaneous conception provided data on social network and support from nuclear family, extended family, and friends twice: at 24-weeks pregnancy and 4-months postpartum. Results demonstrated that, regardless of method of conception, during the transition to parenthood new parents showed a strong nesting movement towards their nuclear family, perceiving increasing levels of nuclear family support across time. Extended family seemed to have only a secondary role on the social nesting movement and a withdrawal from friends was also observed. Considering the primary role nuclear family members seem to have on providing effective support to child-rearing, a greater emphasis on the importance of parents' relationship with their own parents and siblings could be made and social and working policies that prevent the displacement of families geographically also should be considered.

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000

We use a unique dataset from Italy to investigate the impact of socioeconomic characteristics and social capital on family wellbeing and satisfaction. We assess wellbeing using four dimensions of satisfaction with family life: satisfaction with decision making processes, with relationships with partner and children, and with time spent with children. Social capital is measured through information about membership in organizations, trust, and interactions with others. We find that while socioeconomic characteristics and equivalent income in general do not have an impact on family wellbeing, social capital matters for family life satisfaction.