Online Distance Education and Transition to Parenthood Among Female University Students in Sweden

Linus Andersson ()
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Linus Andersson: Swedish Institute for Social Research

European Journal of Population, 2019, vol. 35, issue 4, No 7, 795-823

Abstract: Abstract The expansion of tertiary education is key to understanding postponement of first births. Currently, online distance education is changing the nature of university enrolment. In this study, I suggest that online distance education impacts on fertility by facilitating the transition to parenthood among students. I examine the relationship between online distance education and first births during university enrolment. Using survival analysis of register data for the 1968–1991 female cohorts, I examine the impact of distance and campus education on first-parity transitions during university enrolment between 2004 and 2012 (N = 938,768). Results indicate that the negative association between enrolment and first parity conception differs substantially between campus and distance enrolment. Compared to non-enrolment, the hazard of first parity conception is 70% lower during campus enrolment but 43% lower during distance enrolment. These findings are discussed in relation to educational heterogeneity and fertility postponement and the impact of technological innovation on family dynamics.

Keywords: Technology; Fertility; Sweden; Education; Student fertility; Fertility postponement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1007/s10680-018-9503-3

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