Individual and Relational Factors Associated to the Childbearing Intentions of Brazilian Women and Men

Abstract

Currently, individuals are increasingly considering parenthood as a matter of choice. This explanatory and cross-sectional study evaluated the contribution of the individual (age, gender, education, employment status, personality) and relational (family income, dyadic adjustment, marital satisfaction, empathy, adaptability, and cohesion) factors in the childbearing intentions, among 165 women and 111 men in a heterosexual relationship in Brazil. They completed self-report questionnaires, examined through chi-square test, ANOVA, and binary logistic regression. Women were more likely to choose to remain childless when compared to men, as well as those who were older, had higher education or lower monthly income, and those with higher scores on autonomy, aggression, and relationship emotional satisfaction. The desire for personal realization and keeping autonomy is evident, especially in women.