Showing papers by "Sara Kiesler published in 1977"
TL;DR: In-depth interviews with 21 couples who had agreed never to have children and 19 couples classified as unsure found that couples who did not want children and those who were unsure were most likely to use effective contraception those who wanted children the least likely to plan.
Abstract: In-depth interviews with 21 couples who had agreed never to have children 21 who wanted children but later and 19 couples classified as unsure found that couples who did not want children and those who were unsure were most likely to use effective contraception those who wanted children the least likely to plan. Mean age of husbands was 24 wives 22.5. They were representative of the community in terms of socioeconomic status background and religion. The intentionally childless had thought the longest about childbearing (5 years opposed to 3.9 years for those who wanted children but later) and had been actively discussing it for 3.4 years. Those who intended children later had spent 1.8 years discussing the matter those who were unsure 2.7. These deliberately childless couples reported a good deal of pressure from families. Only 24% said they could be persuaded to have children and the only things which could persuade them was either a change in the wifes attitude or a change in her career plans. In general the wifes feelings about children prevailed and these feelings were closely related to career potential. It is suggested that the state of the upper-level job market for women in the next few years will have a significant impact on the fertility of these couples. Among those who were undecided the wifes income was listed as a major reason for indecision. It is suggested that many of these may eventually become intentionally childless if the wifes career opportunities increase. Their effective use of contraception makes it clear they are not leaving childbearing decisions to chance.
41 citations
01 Jan 1977
10 citations
01 Mar 1977
TL;DR: For example, the authors found that women tend to favor their own family size over others and their relatively positive attitudes were stronger after their family was complete and that women whose families had recently experienced an involuntary misfortune (medical or financial) justified their chosen family size more than did women not having a misfortune.
Abstract: Currently popular approaches to fertility and family size research stress the effect of attitudes values and motives on fertility-related decisions and actions In contrast the effects of decisions and actions in this aspect of life are accorded little attention Two natural experiments were performed to show one such effect: the post hoc justification of family size intentions and completion In the first study women were shown to favor their own family size over others and their relatively positive attitudes were stronger after their family was complete Justification was also greater for more than two children and when the costs of children were greater because one required special care and education In the second study women whose families had recently experienced an involuntary misfortune (medical or financial) justified their chosen family size more than did women not having a misfortune All of these findings were predicted from consistency and commitment theories that hypothesize greater self justification when actions are (1) chosen (2) taken under low external pressure and (3) relatively costly (authors)
9 citations
8 citations