[MOTIVATION TO HAVE A CHILD AMONG CHILDLESS WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE, DEPENDING ON THEIR MARITAL STATUS].

Abstract

Significance: Effectiveness of demographic and family policies depends on considering as many factors that influence the population reproductive behavior as possible. However, the impact of marital status on motivation to have a child among childless women of reproductive age has yet to be fully explored. The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of marital status on motivation to have a child among childless women of reproductive age.

Material and methods: The authors have analyzed data of the research project "Demographic well-being of Russia" implemented in 2020 in 10 regions of the Russian Federation that involved a questionnaire survey. 16 questions of the questionnaire out of the total 138 covered marital status, value of children to the family, health status and health maintenance, and infertility treatment, and were analyzed across groups of respondents with different marital status. The total sample size equaled to 1929 women aged 25-49 including 23.0% childless women. Verification of medical and social characteristics of childless women determining a high motivation to have a child was based on the analysis of characteristics of women in Moscow who sought treatment for infertility at the Center for Reproduction and Family Planning.

Results: The health status of childless women in partnership was better and the share of those who still can have children among such women was higher compared to married women. Only childless married women expressed a desire to use modern reproductive technologies to have a child, and only 5.5% of childless women in partnership did so. Childless never married women, as well as those married, are more likely to rate their lifestyle as healthy. Divorced women and women in partnership are less likely to maintain reproductive health. Among married women, the share of high education is higher among childless. Less than one-third of women believe that a family without children is not a true family, while half as many childless women share this opinion. At the same time, only half of women consider children a characteristic of a happy family, while only third of childless women think so. Divorced childless women are the least likely to agree that children are an essential part of a happy family. Women who use modern reproductive technologies are more likely to be married, have higher education, and more committed to a healthier lifestyle compared to childless respondents.

Conclusion: Like women with children, childless married women aged over 25 have a higher motivation to have a child. Regardless of their marital status, childless women generally do not consider having children as an essential element of happiness. A higher level of education is associated with a higher likelihood of childlessness, increasing motivation to seek treatment for infertility among married women. More responsible attitudes towards ones health are associated with motivation to have a child, while divorced and women in cohabitation are less likely to commit to self-protective behavior.