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Fertility Intentions in Times of Rising Economic Uncertainty: Evidence from Italy from a Gender Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Marco Novelli

    (University of Bologna)

  • Alberto Cazzola

    (University of Bologna)

  • Aurora Angeli

    (University of Bologna)

  • Lucia Pasquini

    (University of Bologna)

Abstract

This study analyses the socio-economic determinants of the short-term fertility plans of Italian women and men living as couples, before and shortly after the onset of the 2007/2008 Great Recession, which may have affected their reproductive plans through a climate of rising economic uncertainty. Using multilevel models, we investigate how fertility intentions are related to the individual characteristics of the respondents and their partners as well as to changes in the economic context. The findings confirm that the Great Recession modified the determinants of short-term fertility intentions differently for women and men. Among the most relevant issues, we outline the importance of couples’ working conditions and the contextual labour market indicators.

Suggested Citation

  • Marco Novelli & Alberto Cazzola & Aurora Angeli & Lucia Pasquini, 2021. "Fertility Intentions in Times of Rising Economic Uncertainty: Evidence from Italy from a Gender Perspective," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 154(1), pages 257-284, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:154:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s11205-020-02554-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-020-02554-x
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    2. Fabrizio De Fausti & Roberta Radini & Tiziana Tuoto & Luca Valentino, 2024. "Mobile phone data for population estimates and for mobility and commuting pattern analyses," RIEDS - Rivista Italiana di Economia, Demografia e Statistica - The Italian Journal of Economic, Demographic and Statistical Studies, SIEDS Societa' Italiana di Economia Demografia e Statistica, vol. 78(1), pages 235-247, January-M.
    3. Arpino, Bruno & LUPPI, FRANCESCA & Rosina, Alessandro, 2021. "Changes in fertility plans during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: the role of occupation and income vulnerability," SocArXiv 4sjvm, Center for Open Science.
    4. Giuseppe Ricciardo Lamonica & Gloria Polinesi & Luca Salvati, 2022. "Sprawl or Segregation? Local Fertility as a Proxy of Socio-spatial Disparities Under Sequential Economic Downturns," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 164(3), pages 1129-1160, December.
    5. del Rosario de Fatima Juárez Carcaño, María & De Rose, Alessandra & Testa, Maria Rita, 2023. "The relationship between education and fertility preferences in Mexico: Lessons from Italy," SocArXiv cw8xd, Center for Open Science.
    6. Karen Benjamin Guzzo, 2022. "The Formation and Realization of Fertility Goals Among a US Cohort in the Post‐Recession Years," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 48(4), pages 991-1026, December.
    7. Camilla Matera & Lars Dommermuth & Silvia Bacci & Bruno Bertaccini & Alessandra Minello & Daniele Vignoli, 2023. "Perceived Economic Uncertainty and Fertility Intentions in Couples: A Dyadic Extension of the Theory of Planned Behaviour," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 44(4), pages 790-806, December.

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