The Relationship between Information Search in the Childbearing Decision and Life Satisfaction for Parents and Nonparents

Abstract

The relationship of information search in the childbearing decision to life satisfaction was investigated. In Women over age 30 residing in the San Francisco Bay area; 62 women who were mothers who had their 1st child near the age of 30 and 23 voluntarily childless women in their 30s responded to a questionnaire concerning their childbearing decision. The study investigated kinds of information search reported by subjects in making the childbearing decision and the relationship of information search to measures of present life satisfaction. Decision strategies included whether there was a conscious process whether the search was a active one and questions asked (about goal attainment future life satisfaction or impact on others). Difficulty in reaching the decision and certainty of rightness of decision were also measured. Life satisfaction measures consisted of general marital and work satisfaction measures. For mothers parenting satisfaction and performance were also examined. Results indicated that information search is related to positive outcomes for women who become mothers. For voluntarily childless women information search was negatively related to life satisfaction. The implications of the results for the decision process in parents and nonparents are discussed. A satisfying career may be related to nonmotivation for having children. In order for women to perceive that parenting and a career are not exclusive society needs to provide flexible career development models childcare facilities and changes in the workplace. More attention to parenting in educational institutions would aid individuals in making better decisions and facilitate effective parenting. Greater acceptance by society of a childfree lifestyle or a dual career option would enable greater freedom of choice.