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Intergenerational transmission of fertility timing in Germany

Author

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  • Kathrin Morosow

    (Stockholms Universitet)

  • Heike Trappe

    (Universität Rostock)

Abstract

Background: Intergenerational transmission of completed fertility is widely confirmed for several societies. Less research, however, has focused on differences in the transmission effect of fertility timing and its underlying mechanisms in a regional context. Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the association between a mother’s age at her daughter’s birth and that daughter’s transition to first birth in eastern and western Germany, as well as its underlying mechanisms. Methods: Using data from the German Family Panel (pairfam), the intergenerational transmission of fertility timing between mothers and daughters born between 1971–1973 and 1981–1983 is investigated using event history analysis. As an alternative to a mother’s age at first birth, a mother’s age at her daughter’s birth is used to determine her daughter’s transition to first birth. Results: Results show evidence for intergenerational transmission of young childbearing between mothers and their daughters in eastern and western Germany, though the association was weaker for eastern Germany. This intergenerational transmission effect cannot be explained by the measures used to capture the underlying mechanisms – socialisation, socioeconomic status transmission, and social control. Contribution: Our contribution to the ongoing discussion is to close a gap in research on the intergenerational transmission of fertility timing. By using the German context to analyse regional differences, we exemplify the varying strength of the intergenerational transmission of fertility timing between eastern and western Germany that persisted beyond reunification.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathrin Morosow & Heike Trappe, 2018. "Intergenerational transmission of fertility timing in Germany," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 38(46), pages 1389-1422.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:38:y:2018:i:46
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2018.38.46
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Sergi Vidal & Philipp M. Lersch & Marita Jacob & Karsten Hank, 2020. "Interdependencies in Mothers’ and Daughters’ Work-Family Life Course Trajectories: Similar but Different?," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 57(4), pages 1483-1511, August.
    3. Kleinjans Kristin J., 2024. "Socio-economic Circumstances at Birth and Early Motherhood: The Case of the “Daughters of the Wall”," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 244(1-2), pages 113-129, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    intergenerational transmission; fertility; Germany; age at birth;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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