Childlessness in later ages in Portugal and in Southern European Countries

Abstract

It is argued that parenthood is no longer a basic condition for achieving self- realization and that the choice of a life without children (childfree) has become increasingly common and free of stereotypes (Basten, 2009), transforming the desired and ideal family size in one of the most important determinants of future fertility. However, it is also necessary to recognize the importance of education level and employment status in the choice of a childfree life (Koropeckyj-cox & Pendel, 2007; Mendes et al., 2015). Moreover, the recent economic and social situation in some European countries effectively altered individual’s fertility behaviour. Particularly, in Southern European countries, which were more battered by the economic crisis, there was a consolidation of a fertility postponement pattern with a strong concentration of births around age 30 (Sobotka, 2013; Mendes, 2012; Mendes et al., 2015). For the past decades, the number of individuals who end their reproductive lives without children has been increasing (Tanturri & Mencarini, 2008; Cunha, 2012; Mendes, 2012), which is, in large part, the result of the postponement of parenthood. Despite the apparent postponement of fertility projects, we know little about reproductive intentions of Southern Europeans after age 30 - age at which the decision to have a child may begin to be compromised by biological limits. Hence, we are particularly interested in analysing those individuals who have reached their 30’s without children and we try to define the profile of those who are more likely to remain childless.