Gender Differences in Attitudes Toward Parenthood Empirical Evidence Among French Adults Aged 20-35

Hélène Périvier
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Hélène Périvier: OFCE - Observatoire français des conjonctures économiques (Sciences Po) - Sciences Po - Sciences Po

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Abstract: This study examines young adults' perceptions and intentions regarding parenthood in France among individuals aged 20–35, with particular attention to gender, sexual orientation, social norms, and socioeconomic factors. Drawing on an original survey, it documents how young adults perceive parenthood and identifies distinct approaches to parenthood using principal component analysis. A typology is developed separately for childless individuals and parents, revealing a strong gender dimension in perceptions of parenthood. Childless young women are more likely to perceive parenthood as constraining, whereas women with one or more children are more likely to adopt an enthusiastic or fulfilling approach, suggesting strong selection into motherhood. By contrast, men are more likely to adopt a conformist approach to parenthood, regardless of whether they have children, reflecting a stronger alignment with prevailing social expectations surrounding childbearing. These findings contribute to a better understanding of contemporary parenthood intentions and gender differences, while shedding light on broader transformations in family formation and fertility in France.

Keywords: gender differences; children; parenthood (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-09-18
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