Book Chapter

Moving towards gender equality

Neyer, G. R., Rieck, D.
In: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (Ed.): How generations and gender shape demographic change: towards policies based on better knowledge, 139–154
New York [et al.], United Nations (2009)

Abstract

Does gender equality matter for fertility? Demographic findings on this question are rather inconclusive. We argue that there are several dimensions of gender equality, situated in place and time, and they are differently related to fertility. To substantiate our position we study the impact of three gender dimensions on women´s and men´s intention to have a first child in countries with different gender-equity status and different fertility levels: France, Germany, Bulgaria, and Russia. We apply logistic regressions to data from the Generations and Gender Survey. We find that full-time employment, the maintenance of financial resources and the availability of childcare are essential for women´s and men´s parenthood intentions, but women seem to make their decisions more dependent on these factors than men do.
Keywords: Bulgaria, France, Germany, Russian Federation, fertility, gainful, gender
The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) in Rostock is one of the leading demographic research centers in the world. It's part of the Max Planck Society, the internationally renowned German research society.