Fertility Intentions and Residential Relocations
Vidal, Sergi (University of Queensland)
Huinink, Johannes (Bremen University)
Feldhaus, Michael (Oldenburg University)

Date:	2017
Abstract:	This research addresses the question of whether fertility intentions (before conception) are associated with residential relocations and the distance of the relocation. We empirically tested this using data from two birth cohorts (aged 24-28 and 34-38 in the first survey wave) of the German Family Panel (pairfam) and event history analysis. Bivariate analyses showed that coupled individuals relocated at a higher rate if they intended to have a(nother) child. We found substantial heterogeneity according to individuals' age and parental status, particularly for outside-town relocations. Childless individuals of average age at family formation-a highly mobile group-relocated at a lower rate if they intended to have a child. In contrast, older individuals who already had children-the least-mobile group-relocated at a higher rate if they intended to have another child. Multivariate analyses show that these associations are largely due to adjustments in housing and other living conditions. Our results suggest that anticipatory relocations (before conception) to adapt to growing household size are importantly nuanced by the opportunities and rationales of couples to adjust their living conditions over the life course. Our research contributes to the understanding of residential mobility as a by-product of fertility decisions and, more broadly, evidences that intentions matter and need to be considered in the analysis of family life courses.
Note:	This research was partially supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Grant No.VI711/1-1) and by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course (Project No. CE140100027).
Note:	Altres ajuts: VI711/1-1
Note:	Altres ajuts: CE140100027
Rights:	Tots els drets reservats.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Subject:	Fertility intentions ; Spatial mobility ; Life course ; Pairfam ; Event history analysis
Published in:	Demography, Vol. 54 Núm. 4 (2017) , p. 1305-1330, ISSN 1533-7790

DOI: 10.1007/s13524-017-0592-0
PMID: 28699099

Postprint 39 p, 884.7 KB

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Social and Legal Sciences > Centre for Demographic Studies (CED-CERCA)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles