Centre for Research on Families and Relationships Delayed Childbearing and Childlessness in Britain: the 1958 and 1970 Cohorts Compared Roona Simpson Centre for Research on Families and Relationships University of Edinburgh RGS-IBG Conference, UPTAP August 2006

Centre for Research on Families and Relationships Context – Fertility Decline Dramatic changes in fertility patterns in most advanced Western nations in recent decades, although important differences both between and within countries. At the beginning of the 21st century, below-replacement fertility is the norm in the developed world. Delayed childbirth, in particular the postponement of first births, related to smaller family sizes and increased childlessness, all of which contribute to overall fertility decline.

Centre for Research on Families and Relationships Context – deferred childbirth

Centre for Research on Families and Relationships Chart 2: Childlessness at age 40, Selected Birth Cohorts Source: ONS Birth Statistics, Series FM1 33

Centre for Research on Families and Relationships Context –Theoretical Perspectives Second Demographic Transition (van der Kaa 1987, Lesthaeghe 1995) Individualisation Theory (Beck and Beck- Gernsheim 1995; Giddens 1992) Risk Aversion Theory (Oppenheimer 1994; Hobson et al, 2004; Lewis 2006) Gender Equity Theory (McDonald 2000) Changing Gender and Generational Relations (Irwin 2000, 2005)

Centre for Research on Families and Relationships

References Beck, U. and Beck-Gernsheim, E. 1995, The Normal Chaos of Love, Oxford: Polity Press Giddens, A The Transformation of Intimacy. Polity Press, Cambridge. Hobson, B. and Olah, L. Sz. (2006), ‘The Positive Turn or BirthStrikes?: Sites of Resistance to Residual Male Breadwinner Societies and to Welfare State Restructuring’, Recherche et Previsions no.83 (March) [Special Issue: Kind and Welfare State. Reforms of Family Policies in Europe and North America], CNAF Irwin, S. 2000, ‘Reproductive Regimes: Changing Relations of Inter- dependence and Fertility Change’, Sociological Research Online, 5 (1). Irwin, S. 2005, Reshaping Social Life, London: Routledge Kiernan, K. (1998) ‘Parenthood and Family Life in the United Kingdom’, Review of Population and Social Policy, No.7, pp:63-81

Centre for Research on Families and Relationships References (Cont.) Lesthaeghe, R ‘The Second Demographic Transition in Western Countries: An Interpretation’. In.: K. O. Mason and A.-M. Jensen (eds.) Gender and Family Change in Industrialized Countries. Oxford, Clarendon Press Lewis, J ‘Perceptions of Risk in Intimate Relationships’, Journal of Social Policy, 35 (1): McDonald, P ‘Gender Equity In Theories Of Fertility Transition’. Population and Development Review 26(3): Oppenheimer, V., ‘Women’s Rising Employment and The Future of The Family in Industrialised Societies’, Population and Development Review, 20 (2): Van de Kaa, D. J ‘Europe’s Second Demographic Transition’, Population Bulletin 42 (1). Watkins, S. C. (1993) ‘If All We Knew About Women Was What We Read In Demography, What Would We Know?’ Demography, 30 (4):