The Recuperation of Fertility at Older Ages: A Cross-Cohort Comparison of the Role of Fertility Intentions, Partnership and Employment Careers

Ann M. Berrington, University of Southampton
Serena Pattaro, University of Southampton

In Britain, as in many developed countries there has been a rise in the average age at parenthood and increases in childlessness. In contrast to many countries, however, cohort completed family sizes have only seen moderate declines, partly as a result of the successful recuperation of fertility at later ages. This paper uses unique data from two British birth cohorts (one born in 1958 and the other in 1970) that have been prospectively followed-up since birth, to examine cohort changes in the relationship between postponement of childbearing and the progression to higher order births. The work extends knowledge by a) focusing on individuals’ intentions and their subsequent behavior; b) investigating both men and women; and c) taking a life course perspective by tracking individuals from birth (and hence incorporating family background circumstances), through their childhood circumstances and the adult years up to (nearly) the end of the reproductive period.