Chapter 10 Should We or Shouldn’t We? Choosing Whether to Have Children

Chapter Outline  Fertility Patterns in the United States  Being Pregnant  Becoming a Parent

Fertility Patterns in the United States  There were over 4 million births in the U.S. in  The crude birth rate was 13.9 in –This is a slight decline from 2001, when the rate was 14.1, but represents a 17% reduction since  The U.S. experienced a decrease in the fertility rate from 118 in 1960 to 64.8 in 2002.

Fertility Rates by Race and Ethnicity: 2002

Deciding to Remain Child- Free: Four Stages 1. Couple decides to postpone having children for a definite time period (until he gets his degree, until she gets her promotion, and so on). 2. When the time period expires, they decide to postpone having children indefinitely (until they “feel like it”).

Deciding to Remain child- Free: Four Stages 3. They increasingly appreciate the positive advantages of being child- free. 4. The decision is made final, generally by the sterilization of one or both partners.

Categories of Reasons for Remaining child-Free  Freedom from child-care responsibility and greater opportunity for self-fulfillment.  More satisfactory marital relationship.  Wife’s career considerations.  Monetary advantages.

Categories of Reasons for Remaining child-Free  Concern about population growth.  General dislike of children.  Early socialization experiences and doubts about parenting ability.  Concern about physical aspects of childbirth.

Abortion  Reasons for having an abortion are complex: –Woman’s developmental/life stage –Relationships with others –Educational goals –Economic circumstances  There is no scientific evidence to support “post abortion trauma syndrome.”

Cost of Raising Children  USDA’s estimate of what families spend raising children through age 17: –Between $169,750 for low-income families and $338,370 for high-income families. –In middle-income families (incomes between $39,700-$66,900), parents who had a child in 2002 will spend approximately $231,680 to raise an only child to age 18.

Cost of Raising Children  The USDA estimates underrepresent the costs of having and raising children. –Costs associated with childbirth and prenatal care are excluded. –By calculating only through age 17, college costs are not included. –The USDA does not consider the wages lost (or forgone) while parents take leave from the labor force.

Cost of Raising Children  Cost estimates that include both college expenses and cost of wages: –Raising a “typical” child amounts to a 22- year investment of between $761,871 (lower-third income bracket) and $2.78 million dollars (upper-third income bracket). –For middle-income-bracket families the estimate is $1.45 million.

Tasks of Expectant Mothers  Development of an emotional attachment to the fetus.  Differentiation of the self from the fetus.  Acceptance and resolution of the relationship with own mother.

Tasks of Expectant Mothers  Resolution of dependency issues (generally involving parents or husband/partner).  Evaluation of practical/financial responsibilities.

Tasks of Expectant Father  Acceptance of the pregnancy and attachment to the fetus.  Acceptance and resolution of the relationship with own father.  Resolution of dependency issues (involving wife/partner).  Evaluation of practical/financial responsibilities.

Adoption  Adoptive families face unique problems and stresses.  Most report feeling greatly enriched.  Issues faced by adoptive families: –Choosing open or closed adoption. –Dealing with feelings about the biological parents. –Dealing with insensitivity and prejudice from society.

Domains in Which Parents Experience Change  Identity and inner-life changes: –They no longer think of themselves the same way they did before their children were born.  Shifts within the marital roles and relationship: –Parenthood alters how couples divide tasks or allocate responsibilities.

Domains in Which Parents Experience Change  Shifts in intergenerational relationships: –Becoming parents alters the relationship between new parents and their parents.  Changes in roles and relationships outside the family: –Parenthood may force changes in roles and relationships at work or in friendships.  New parenting roles and relationships: –New parents learn how difficult it is to maintain equitable divisions of child care.