Family of Origin and Interest in Childbearing

Abstract

This study examines whether family of origin characteristics (i.e., type, parent–child relationship quality, and socioeconomic status) relate to interest in childbearing among 18- to 34-year-olds. Data from 1,436 respondents to the 2003 National Survey of Families and Households and 15,555 high school seniors in the 1992 wave of the National Educational Longitudinal Study were analyzed by ordinal logistic regression models. Results suggest that parent–child relationship quality and socioeconomic status positively predict interest in childbearing. For men only, variations in family type also predict interest.