Gender roles perceptions and ideal number of children: case study of Emirati youth

Abstract

AbstractBackground:United Arab Emirate (UAE) is a very traditional society and a country with declining fertility. Literature suggests that gender-egalitarian attitudes lead to lower fertility. Present research tackles the puzzle of the relationship between perceptions of gender roles in society and ideal number of children among Emirati youths.Methods:This study utilized data from a cross-sectional quantitative survey. The survey was developed and applied in February-March 2019 among a purposive sample of 300 young Emirati males and females aged 18-30 years, studying at the UAE University. Both bivariate and multivariate analysis is performed to examine the levels of youth’s perception towards gender roles and desired fertility.Results:Empirical survey data collected from Emirati youths revealed that 50% of youths support the traditional perspective on marriage, 30% think motherhood is the most important thing for women, and a small percentage support economic independence of women and husband participation in household chores/child-rearing. On average Emirati youth ideally wish to have in their future families 5.4 children, and sons are more preferable for them than daughters. Youths who favour the economic independence of women and equal participation in household work contribution by spouses desire a lower number of children which is in line with the modernization theory and cultural evolution.Conclusion:UAE has been facing continuous decline in fertility rates. Present findings indicate that change in perception towards gender roles maybe one of the factors contributing to fertility decline among young generation. Promoting gender equality attitudes and strengthening institutional support for childbearing could become of the key strategies.