Gender equality in families and childbearing in Finland

Anneli Miettinen, Population Research Institute, Väestöliitto
Anna Rotkirch, Population Research Institute, Väestöliitto
Lassi Lainiala, Population Research Institute, Väestöliitto

While women’s stronger position in the labour market and education tends to diminish fertility, it is expected that more gender egalitarian relationships within the family will have the opposite effect. Previous research on gender equality and fertility is inconclusive as both egalitarian and traditional families are found both to intend and to have more children. Evidence from the Nordic countries suggests that when men are more willing to provide child care, couples are more likely to have a next child. It is not clear, whether this is related to more egalitarian relationships in the family, sharing of certain tasks, or to selection processes. The Time Use Study 2000 in Finland provides a unique opportunity to examine how various aspects of gender equality in families predicts subsequent childbearing. TUS2000 uses time diary method to collect data on daily activities of all family members. Diaries provide reliable and extensive information on division of tasks between partners. We combine TUS2000 data with data on births and union formation/dissolution from population registers until 2010, and use logistic regression models to examine the division of labour between partners and its influence on couples’ childbearing. TUS2000 data includes also information on SES, income, employment and education of both spouses. We expect that the transition to a next child is faster among couples who share household tasks more equally. We also expect the impact to be parity specific and modified by education and income. Among women, for example, education increases the expectations of a more equal sharing, and decreases the likelihood of reducing time in paid work. Consequently, highly educated women may benefit more from equal division of tasks. Of special interest will be to identify which dimensions of gender equality (attachment to paid work, resources, or sharing of certain tasks) contribute to childbearing.