Social Networks and Family Formation Processes : Young Adultsrsquo; Decision Making about Parenthood

Annotation How do young adults decide to become parents or to remain childless? Is this an individual choice, a couples decision or are there other social influences involved, such as social networks? Using a mixed-methods design, Sylvia Keim combines problem-centred interviews and network data collected among young adults in western Germany. The author shows that personal relations strongly influence the perceptions, attitudes, and plans individuals express concerning parenthood. She identifies basic mechanisms and channels of social influence as well as relevant network structures. This book is valuable reading for academics, students, and policy makers interested in family research, the network perspective, and mixed-methods research Front Matter....Pages 1-18 The Social Network Perspective....Pages 19-30 Fertility and Family Formation....Pages 31-45 Methodological Approach and Research Design....Pages 47-82 Making Decisions about Parenthood....Pages 83-142 Personal Relations, Social Influences, and Social Networks....Pages 143-222 Fertility Decline, Social Networks, and Individualization....Pages 223-247 Summary....Pages 249-255 Back Matter....Pages 249-270 Sylvia Keim. Originally Presented As The Author's Thesis (doctoral--universität Rostock, 2010) Under The Title: Social Networks And Fertility Decision-making. Includes Bibliographical References.