Marriage and Fertility Preferences among Young Women in China: Changes over Time

Abstract

China has undergone considerable social and economic change over recent decades and, more recently, has altered its fertility policies. Using data collected at several Chinese universities from 2015 through 2019, this study examines contextual factors associated with young women’s marriage and fertility preferences. The analyses demonstrate that, over recent years, young women express a significant preference for later ages at first marriage, fewer numbers of children, and a later age at first birth. Pronatalist attitudes and gender role attitudes are shown to have strong associations with marriage and fertility aspirations in recent years. Peer influence is associated with marriage preferences, while parental characteristics are shown to significantly influence fertility preferences. While individual traits such as school performance yield significant associations, such effects are not as strong as anticipated. The results are discussed within the developmental paradigm, with focus upon the potential influence of cultural globalization and changing Chinese gender roles.