Factors associated with second childbirth intention: focusing on value of children in Korean married women

Abstract

Background: The value placed on having children represents one important motivation for childbearing. Our aim was to examine the relationship between the value placed on children by women and their preference for a second child. Methods: Data on women with a child (299 employed women and 424 stay-at-home mothers aged 20–44 years) were obtained from the Korean National Fertility and Family Survey. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between the perceived value of children and the intention to have a second child. Results: The psychological benefits of having children, such as emotional comfort in the elderly years, was associated with higher second-childbirth intention in stay-at-home mothers (p < .05). In addition, the awareness of South Korean government’s childrearing support services were associated with higher second-childbirth intention among stay-at-home mothers. Conclusions: Understanding and responding to the individual responses of stay-at-home mothers to motherhood and of their perceptions of the value they place on having children requires the promotion and provision of perinatal mental health services. In addition, expansion of flexible working patterns is needed among employed women.

Keywords:

• psychological value
• children
• fertility intention
• stay-at-home mothers