Reproductive Decision Making in Spain: Heterosexual Couples’ Narratives About How They Chose to Have Children

Abstract

This article seeks to expand researchers’ understanding of choice in the reproductive decision-making narratives of heterosexual couples to help explain fertility rates in Spain. The data comprise 32 interviews and two focus groups with heterosexual mothers and fathers. Two broad categories have been identified: couples who chose “when” to have children and couples who chose “whether” to have children. The results show that couples choosing “when” considered having children to be a normal step in the life course and had a shared plan to become parents. Couples who chose “whether” considered having children to be a voluntary lifestyle choice and decisions were more individualized. Both groups reported having decided to have children. Parents’ sense of responsibility for this decision could help explain the postponement of motherhood and low fertility rates in Spain.