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Qiu L, Li Y, Zhong J, Liu X, Ding J, Zhang D. Third birth intention of the working women with two existing children in Hainan Island, China: The impact of fertility costs and utility. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33939. [PMID: 39071612 PMCID: PMC11282997 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
This study evaluates the impact of fertility costs and utility on the third birth intentions among working women with two children in Hainan, China. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Hainan Island, China in 2021 using an offline survey. Among 1067 working women with two children, only 8.06 % of participants reported having a third-birth intention. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, higher economic cost (odds ratio = 1.89) and lower succession utility (odds ratio = 5.08) were significantly associated with the lack of intention to have a third child. The analysis further demonstrates that family values significantly modulate these economic and utility considerations, highlighting a strong cultural influence on fertility decisions. This finding underscores the necessity for policies that not only mitigate financial burdens but also promote family values supportive of higher fertility. Such measures are essential for creating a cultural and economic environment conducive to higher birth rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Qiu
- School of Public Health, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, PR China
| | - Yingqi Li
- School of Public Health, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, PR China
| | - Jie Zhong
- School of Management, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, PR China
| | - Xuan Liu
- School of Public Health, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, PR China
| | - Jindong Ding
- School of Public Health, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, PR China
- Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Dongxian Zhang
- School of Management, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, PR China
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Ning N, Tan X, Li Y, Tang J, Lommel L, Sun M. Changes in fertility intention among married Chinese couples with two children during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study. BMJ SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2024; 50:185-193. [PMID: 38503472 DOI: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2022-201759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A three-child policy was implemented in China to stimulate a rise in fertility levels and coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. Data suggested that COVID-19 has a negative impact on fertility intention. AIM To describe married couples' changes in intention to have a third child during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine factors associated with altered intentions. METHODS An online survey was conducted in October 2021, including sociodemographic characteristics, change of intention to have a third child after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, reasons for increased or decreased intention, and the Fertility Intention Scale (FIS). Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to test the potential factors associated with changes in intention. RESULTS A total of 1308 participants provided responses. Following the COVID-19 outbreak, 35.8% of participants decreased their third-child intention, while 2.8% of participants increased their third-child intention. Males (aOR 1.90, 95% CI 1.42 to 2.54), youngsters (aOR 1.77, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.93) and those living in Estern China (aOR 2.12, 95% CI 1.13 to 3.98) were more likely to decrease their third-child intention. Perceived risk (aOR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.10) and policy support (aOR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.09) as measured on the FIS decreased couples' intention to have a third child. Social support (aOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.98) as measured on the scale protected participants from decreased intention. CONCLUSIONS During severe public health emergencies, strong prevention and control policies, together with enhancing support from partners and healthcare professionals for women, are necessary to improve intentions to give birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Ning
- Graduate School of Innovation and Practice for Smart Society, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiangmin Tan
- School of rural health, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ying Li
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingfei Tang
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lisa Lommel
- School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mei Sun
- School of Nursing, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
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Rizkianti A, Kistiana S, Fajarningtiyas DN, Hutasoit EF, Baskoro AA, Maryani H, Titisari AS, Sari DP, Naibaho MMP, Melissa M, Muthmainnah M. Understanding the association between family planning and fertility reduction in Southeast Asia: a scoping review. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e083241. [PMID: 38858142 PMCID: PMC11168165 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-083241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to explore and understand the extent and type of evidence on fertility reduction and its association with family planning (FP) in Southeast Asia. DESIGN Scoping review, following the methodological principles developed by Arksey and O'Malley and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines for reporting. DATA SOURCE We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, ProQuest, EBSCO, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar and reference lists of relevant articles between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2022. Only open-access articles in English were considered. STUDY SELECTION For inclusion, observational studies were selected for eligibility based on the original articles investigating the uptake of FP on women aged 15-49 years and its association with fertility decline in Southeast Asian (SEA) countries. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS Two reviewers screened the records independently for eligibility and extracted all data. The specific details of the studies, including data on the authors, year of publication, setting, study design, aims/objectives of the study, specific intervention, outcomes and main findings, were reported. RESULTS We retrieved 615 articles and retained 12 articles included in the analysis. Of these, 11 were quantitative studies and 1 was qualitative study. The frequently reported strategy of FP was the use of contraception. FP not only allows women to control their birth by spacing and limiting their pregnancies but also delay their first childbirth by using contraceptive methods. CONCLUSION Our review suggests that the FP programmes aiming at reducing fertility should have a specific focus on improving the uptake and continuation of FP services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anissa Rizkianti
- Research Centre for Population, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Sari Kistiana
- Research Centre for Population, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Desy Nuri Fajarningtiyas
- Research Centre for Population, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Evalina Franciska Hutasoit
- Research Centre for Population, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Andhika Ajie Baskoro
- Research Centre for Population, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Herti Maryani
- Research Centre for Population, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Anastasia Septya Titisari
- Research Centre for Population, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Diah Puspita Sari
- Research Centre for Population, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Margareth Maya P Naibaho
- Research Centre for Population, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Melissa Melissa
- Faculty of Psychology, Tarumanagara University, West Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Muthmainnah Muthmainnah
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Population, and Health Promotion, Airlangga University Faculty of Public Health, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
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Xu F, Jiang S, Ge P, Yang J, Lu S. Intention to have a third child among millennial parents with two children in eastern China: A cross-sectional survey. Nurs Open 2024; 11:e2178. [PMID: 38757435 PMCID: PMC11099693 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.2178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM This Study Aimed to Assess the Intention to Have a Third Child among Millennial Parents (25-40 years old) with Two Children in a City in Eastern China and to Explore the Influencing Factors Related to Fertility Intention. DESIGN A cross-sectional design study. METHODS A convenience sampling method was used to enrol participants of childbearing age who visited two tertiary hospitals in Hang zhou, a city in eastern China, from June 2021 to March 2022. We conducted a face-to-face questionnaire survey with 520 participants and calculated the prevalence of intention-related factors. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse the independent influencing factors of fertility intention. RESULTS In total, 105 (20.2%) participants had the intention to have a third child. The results showed that 'employment status', 'age', 'reasons for wanting a third child', the considered 'biggest barrier to having a third child', 'views on the three-child policy', 'desired free services', 'supporting work policies' and 'assistance policies' were significant independent influencing factors of intention to have a third child (p-value < 0.05). The intention of the participants 'over 30 years old' was 2.466 times that of those '30 years old and under', and 'older age/personal health status' was considered the 'biggest barrier to having a third child'. Regarding policy and social reasons, the participants who need 'medical assistance' policy negatively affect the intention to have a third child (OR = 0.453, 95% CI = 0.247-0.830). IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTHCARE/NURSING Nursing plays an important role in health promotion. Nurses can help couples make wise decisions about fertility by providing professional consultation, education, evaluation and support. They can also provide corresponding nursing and guidance to improve couples' health quality and overall reproductive success. CONCLUSIONS The general level of intention to have a third child of Millennial parents with two children is still low. The participants who are 'housewives/househusbands', 'over 30 years old', and satisfied with the state of 'medical assistance' have higher fertility intentions. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION It is particularly meaningful for the policymakers to improve the social support system and raise universal awareness to encourage childbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Xu
- Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of MalayaKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - Shen‐jun Jiang
- Department of MedicineHangzhou Third HospitalHangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Pan‐pan Ge
- Department of NursingHangzhou Women's Hospital (Hangzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital)HangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jue Yang
- Department of NursingHangzhou Women's Hospital (Hangzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital)HangzhouPeople's Republic of China
| | - Sha Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyHangzhou Women's Hospital (Hangzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital)HangzhouPeople's Republic of China
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Lin Y, Zhang B, Hu M, Yao Q, Jiang M, Zhu C. The effect of gradually lifting the two-child policy on demographic changes in China. Health Policy Plan 2024; 39:363-371. [PMID: 38334690 PMCID: PMC11005836 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czae008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Low-fertility rate has been a common problem in many industrialized countries. To reverse the declining trend of new births, Chinese government gradually lifted its restrictions on the number of births per family, allowing for a household to have no more than two children. Little is known about the additional births or population increase contributed by the gradual relaxation of birth restrictions. To fill this gap, this quasi-experimental design study including data from 124 regions used the synthetic control method and controlled interrupted time series analysis to evaluate the differences in birth rates and rates of natural population increase between China and its synthetic control following implementation of the two-child policy from 2011 to 2020. A total of 123 regions were included in the control pool. Data collected during 1990-2010 were used to identify the synthetic China for each study outcome. The mean rate differences of birth rates and rates of natural increase between China and synthetic China after two-child policy implementation were 1.16 per 1000 population and 1.02 per 1000, respectively. These rate differences were distinguished from variation due to chance (one-sided pseudo-P-values: P for birth rates = 0.047, P for rates of natural increase = 0.020). However, there were statistically significant annual reductions in the pre-post trend of birth rates and rates of natural increase compared with those of controls of <0.340 per 1000 population per year [P = 0.007, 95% CI = (-0.584, -0.096)] and <0.274 per 1000 per year [P = 0.028, 95% CI = (-0.518, -0.031)]. The results suggested that lifting birth restrictions had a short-term effect on the increase in birth rates and rates of natural population increase. However, birth policy with lifting birth restrictions alone may not have sustained impact on population growth in the long run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidie Lin
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 16 People’s South Road, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Baiyang Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 16 People’s South Road, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Meijing Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 16 People’s South Road, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiang Yao
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 16 People’s South Road, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Min Jiang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 16 People’s South Road, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Cairong Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 16 People’s South Road, Chengdu 610041, China
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Zheng J, Wang X, Xie S, Wang H, Shen J, Zhang T. The mediating role of trust in government in intergenerational transmission of fertility intentions. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1338122. [PMID: 38496397 PMCID: PMC10941980 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1338122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
China's one-child policy was in effect from 1982 to 2015. However, the literature examining the association between people's trust in local government and intergenerational transmission of fertility intentions is scarce. To fill this gap, we investigated the impact of individuals' sibship size on their ideal number of children, the mediating effect of their trust in local government on the issue of fertility between two successive generations, and the moderating effect of education level on sibship size related to trust in local governments. Based on the 2019 Chinese Social Survey data, 2,340 respondents aged 18-35 participated in the analysis. The results showed that (i) individuals' number of siblings significantly positively predicted their ideal number of children; (ii) individuals' number of siblings significantly negatively predicted their trust in the local government, which in turn significantly negatively influenced fertility intentions; (iii) the mediating mechanism was significant in residents with higher levels of education, but not in people with lower degrees of education. Fertility-boosting incentives can prioritize couples who are the only child in their family. It is necessary for local governments to improve their credibility and strengthen their pregnancy-related communication with groups with higher levels of education.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Tao Zhang
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, Macao SAR, China
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Liang Q, Wang X, He Q, Ni X, Zhao R, Ji J, Dong C, Gu Z. Factors associated with fertility intention among women with systemic lupus erythematosus in China: A cross-sectional study. Int J Rheum Dis 2023; 26:2419-2429. [PMID: 37849430 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.14927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the status and influencing factors of fertility intention in women of childbearing age with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS A total of 158 SLE patients admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from February 2021 to February 2022 were selected for a cross-sectional study. The dependent variable in this study was the fertility intention of lupus women of childbearing age, so the questionnaire was selected: "In view of your disease, do you plan to have children? Yes/no" as the measurement statement. Lupus patients were divided into fertility intention groups and non-fertility intention groups. The questionnaire survey comprises following scales: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R), and others. Independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U test, and binary logistic regression were used for analysis. RESULTS The results showed that 20.9% of lupus patients in this study had a fertility intention. The fertility intention was associated with age, reproductive history, reproductive concerns, sexual distress, fatigue, family function, social support, depression, and sleep. Binary logistic regression showed that physical fatigue (OR 3.56, 95% CI 1.048-12.07) and personal health (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.065-5.853) had significant predictors of fertility intention. CONCLUSION Our study identified a lower fertility intention in SLE patients who had reproductive concerns, sexual distress, family dysfunction, and fatigue. We encourage healthcare institutions to provide counseling services to all the SLE patients who have fertility intention and focus more on those who have requirements for fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liang
- Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xingxin Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qian He
- Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xiaowei Ni
- Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Rui Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Juan Ji
- Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Chen Dong
- Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Zhifeng Gu
- Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, China
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Zhu F, Liu C, Chen Q, Qiang W, Lu Q. Revision and psychometric evaluation of a fertility intention scale for young women with breast cancer in Chinese Mainland. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs 2023; 10:100264. [PMID: 37661956 PMCID: PMC10471931 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjon.2023.100264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Neglected fertility intentions affect the quality of life of young women with breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to revise the Taiwanese version of the Fertility Intention Scale and validate its psychometric properties among young women with breast cancer in Chinese Mainland. Methods We performed a cross-sectional survey with young women with breast cancer at a Chinese cancer hospital to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Revised Fertility Intention Scale. A two-phase study was conducted: (1) revision of the scale and (2) evaluation of the scale's reliability and validity. Results Six new items and one new dimension were added to the original 15 items and four dimensions, reliability and validity of the 21-item Revised Fertility Intention Scale were verified in a sample of 436 women in Chineses Mainland with breast cancer who were aged 18-40 years. The content validity index, results of factor analysis, convergent validity, and known-groups validity were acceptable, and the Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficients supported the revised scale. Conclusions The 21-item Revised Fertility Intention Scale has satisfactory reliability and validity for assessing fertility intentions among young women with breast cancer in Chinese Mainland. In clinical practice, nurses can use the scale to identify fertility intentions and associated factors in young women with breast cancer and develop feasible and effective oncofertility care measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zhu
- School of Nursing, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Chunlei Liu
- School of Nursing, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Queting Chen
- Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Wanmin Qiang
- Department of Nursing, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Qian Lu
- Division of Medical & Surgical Nursing, Peking University School of Nursing, Beijing, China
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Ning N, Tang J, Huang Y, Tan X, Lin Q, Sun M. Fertility Intention to Have a Third Child in China following the Three-Child Policy: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15412. [PMID: 36430129 PMCID: PMC9690853 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
China's three-child policy was implemented in May 2021 to stimulate a rise in fertility levels. However, few previous studies have explored fertility intentions to have a third child and have only focused on childless or one-child populations, resulting in a gap in findings between fertility intention and fertility behavior. Thus, we conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study on 1308 participants with two children. Results showed that only 9.6% of participants reported planning to have a third child and 80.2% of the population had heard of the policy but had no idea of the detailed contents. Participants with two daughters (OR = 3.722, 95% CI = 2.304-6.013) were willing to have one more child. Instrumental values (OR = 1.184, 95% CI = 1.108-1.265) and policy support (OR = 1.190, 95% CI = 1.124-1.259) were the facilitators. Perceived risk (OR = 0.883, 95% CI = 0.839-0.930) and higher educational level (OR = 0.693, 95% CI = 0.533-0.900) were the leading barriers to having one more child. Therefore, the government should deepen parents' understanding of the "three-child policy" and devise ways of reducing the negative impacts of having a third child to boost the intention to have more children. Our proposed approach can also be used to better understand the reasons for low fertility rates in other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Ning
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Jingfei Tang
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Yizhou Huang
- College of Engineering and Design, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Xiangmin Tan
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Qian Lin
- Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Mei Sun
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
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Yu X, Liang J. Social norms and fertility intentions: Evidence from China. Front Psychol 2022; 13:947134. [DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.947134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
China’s low fertility rates are a major concern across all sectors of society. Fertility is a major issue related to economy, society and family development. Based on social norms theory, this paper explores the influence of social norms on individuals’ fertility intentions from two perspectives: spatial proximity and social proximity. Using data from the China Family Panel Studies, we found that individual’s fertility intentions were influenced by social norms; both neighborhood social norms and group social norms had significant effects. The role of social norms in shaping individual fertility intentions varied by gender, hukou, and life course; specifically, men, rural residents, and married individuals were more significantly influenced by social norms. This study improves the theoretical framework of fertility decision making by arguing that in addition to macro and individual factors, social norms have a very important influence on fertility intentions. Our findings suggest that reshaping social norms regarding fertility is essential to enhance fertility rates in China.
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Chen T, Hou P, Wu T, Yang J. The Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Fertility Intentions of Women with Childbearing Age in China. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:bs12090335. [PMID: 36135139 PMCID: PMC9495656 DOI: 10.3390/bs12090335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
On 31 May 2021, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China proposed the policy that a couple can have three children, and rolled out more supportive measures to further optimize the fertility policies. However, while the Chinese government is further optimizing its fertility policy, the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 is raging around the world, which threatens the implementation of China’s fertility optimization policy. Based on this, this paper firstly explores the impact of COVID-19 on women’s fertility intentions. Secondly, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, this paper constructs a structural equation model to quantitatively reveal the specific factors that affect women’s fertility intentions under the epidemic, as well as their impact paths, and then puts forward corresponding suggestions for the government to solve the problem of fertility, aiming at delaying population aging and optimizing population structure. The research results show that: (1) COVID-19 lowers the fertility intentions of women of childbearing age. (2) During the pandemic, economic pressure emerged as the biggest factor affecting women’s fertility intentions. The decline in income caused by the pandemic has become an important factor in preventing women from having children. (3) The conflict between work and childbearing is still an important factor affecting the fertility intentions of women of childbearing age. The government’s provision of perfect childcare services and their strengthening of the protection of women’s employment rights and interests will greatly reduce women’s anxiety about childbearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinggui Chen
- School of Statistics and Mathematics, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Statistical Data Engineering Technology & Application, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
- Correspondence:
| | - Peixin Hou
- School of Statistics and Mathematics, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Tiantian Wu
- School of Statistics and Mathematics, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Jianjun Yang
- Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, University of North Georgia, Oakwood, GA 30566, USA
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12
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Li M, Xu X. Fertility Intentions for a Second Child and Their Influencing Factors in Contemporary China. Front Psychol 2022; 13:883317. [PMID: 35664134 PMCID: PMC9161298 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.883317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the Chinese government has shifted from a one-child policy to a two-child policy (allowing a couple to have up to two children) since 2016 in response to the aging population, the policy results have been unsatisfactory. This is the first paper to systematically investigate the factors influencing residents' intentions to have a second child. The research focuses on the perspective of individual, family, and social characteristics based on the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) from 2017 to 2018. Three machine learning methods are used in conjunction with logistic regression to reveal that the intention of having a second child increases heavily with age, more siblings in the family of origin, and better health. The family income, which is currently the focus of the literature and is statistically significant, is only sixth most important. This study further reveals differences between genders: Women with a lower level of education and religious beliefs prefer to have a second child, whereas for men, non-agricultural hukou and marriage are the position factors. The results of this study also illustrate the importance of future research focusing on the relationship of individuals to their family of origin and districts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Li
- Department of Economics and Business, Central European University, Vienna, Austria
| | - Xinxin Xu
- Doctoral School of International Relations and Political Science, Corvinus University of Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
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