Public Perceptions of the Ideal Number of Children for Contemporary Families

Demographic and family dynamics have been influenced by the recent downturn in average family size. This research examines perceptions of the ideal size for contemporary families and beliefs regarding factors which have contributed to families' decisions to have fewer children. Findings reveal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Population and environment 1987-09, Vol.9 (3), p.160-172
Main Authors: West, Kirsten K., Morgan, Leslie A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Birth control
Childlessness
Children
Demography
Family
Family size
Female fertility
Fertility
Ideal numbers
Marital status
Normativity
Size
United States
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Summary:Demographic and family dynamics have been influenced by the recent downturn in average family size. This research examines perceptions of the ideal size for contemporary families and beliefs regarding factors which have contributed to families' decisions to have fewer children. Findings reveal that the two child family is the overwhelming standard chosen by respondents, and that this preference holds for virtually all demographic categories. Three of five reasons offered for smaller families today (expense of children, wives working and better birth control) were viewed as important by over 85% of those sampled.
ISSN:0199-0039
1573-7810
DOI:10.1007/BF01259306