Labour-market status and first-time parenthood: The experience of immigrant women in Sweden, 1981–97
- 1 March 2005
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Informa UK Limited in Population Studies
- Vol. 59 (1), 21-38
- https://doi.org/10.1080/0032472052000332683
Abstract
This paper investigates the impact of labour-market attachment on first births of foreign-born women in Sweden. The study uses a longitudinal, register-based dataset consisting of the entire population of immigrants from ten nations and a 5-per-cent random sample of natives. The effects of earned income are evident, with increased income levels increasing the probability of becoming a mother for all observed nationalities. The effects of various forms of participation and non-participation in the labour force do not vary greatly between immigrants and the Swedish-born. Among all subgroups, we find a higher propensity to begin childbearing among those who are established in the labour market. Contrary to popular belief, receiving welfare benefits clearly reduces first-birth intensity for immigrants but not for natives. The similarity in patterns across widely different national groups supports the notion that various institutional factors affecting all subgroups are crucial in influencing childbearing behaviour.Keywords
This publication has 37 references indexed in Scilit:
- Childbearing after Migration: Fertility Patterns of Foreign-born Women in SwedenInternational Migration Review, 2004
- Fertility Decisions in the FRG and GDR: An Analysis with Data from the German Fertility and Family SurveyDemographic Research, 2004
- Value Orientations and the Second Demographic Transition (SDT) in Northern, Western and Southern Europe: An UpdateDemographic Research, 2004
- Incorporating Origin and Process in Migration-Fertility Frameworks: The Case of Puerto Rican WomenSocial Forces, 1998
- The dual strategy: Motherhood and the work contract in ScandinaviaEuropean Journal of Population, 1996
- Relative Income and Price of Time: Exploring Their Effects on US Fertility and Female Labor Force ParticipationPopulation and Development Review, 1996
- Immigrants in Sweden's labour market during the 1980sScandinavian Journal of Social Welfare, 1994
- Women's Rising Employment and the Future of the Family in Industrial SocietiesPopulation and Development Review, 1994
- Migration and marriage in the life course: a method for studying synchronized eventsEuropean Journal of Population, 1993
- Female labour force participation, fertility and public policy in SwedenEuropean Journal of Population, 1992