Childbearing choices in contemporary world WF-PS-CCCW-ER
The lectures will discuss the main factors important for the motivation to have children and for reproductive decision-making. In contemporary world, we observe demographic trends related to fertility postponement, declining numbers of children within families and increasing childlessness. These trends stem from individual choices of women and men, entering adulthood. In the lectures, we will discuss theoretical models most commonly used to explain childbearing motivations and to describe the reproductive decision-making process. We will discuss the role of biological, psychological, economic and cultural factors in this process.
(in Polish) Dyscyplina naukowa, do której odnoszą się efekty uczenia się
(in Polish) E-Learning
(in Polish) Grupa przedmiotów ogólnouczenianych
Term 2021/22_L: (in Polish) nie dotyczy | Term 2022/23_L: (in Polish) nie dotyczy | Term 2023/24_Z: (in Polish) PO - przedmioty ogólnouczelniane (bez obszaru) | Term 2024/25_Z: (in Polish) PO - przedmioty ogólnouczelniane (bez obszaru) |
(in Polish) Opis nakładu pracy studenta w ECTS
Subject level
Learning outcome code/codes
Type of subject
Preliminary Requirements
Course coordinators
Term 2022/23_L: | Term 2021/22_L: | Term 2023/24_Z: | Term 2024/25_Z: |
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will understand the mechanism of decision-making related to having children and will know the role of various factors (biological, psychological, economic, cultural) in this process (PS_W02). Students will expand their knowledge of the methods of analysis and interpretation of the discussed decision-making processes (PS_W03). Students will also develop their competences related to independent search for information and self-studying (PS_K03),
Students' workload:
Participation in the lectures - 30 hours
Readings - 60 hours
Self-study (literature search, preparation of presentation) - 60 hours
Preparation for the exam - 30 hours
(180 hours / 30 = 6 ECTS)
Assessment criteria
The final grade consists of 80% from the written final exam (test) and 20% from the short presentation given during the classes. To pass the course, at least 60% of the points must be obtained from the final exam. The presentation is mandatory and forms part of the final grade.
Bibliography
The below list covers basic introductory reading on key theoretical models. Additional reading will be suggested over the semester. During the course, Students will be asked to perform their own literature searches on different aspects of childbearing choices.
• Hoffman, L. W., & Hoffman, M. L. (1973). The Value of Children to Parents. In J. T. Fawcett (Ed.), Psychological Perspectives on Population (pp. 19-76). New York: Basic Books.
• Miller, W. B. (1994). Childbearing motivations, desires, and intentions: a theoretical framework. Genet Soc Gen Psychol Monogr, 120(2), 223-258.
• Miller, W. B. (2011). Differences between fertility desires and intentions: implications for theory, research and policy. Vienna Yearbook of Population Research, 9, 75-98.
• Klobas, J. E., & Ajzen, I. (2015). Making the Decision to Have a Child. In D. Philipov, A. C. Liefbroer, & J. E. Klobas (Eds.), Reproductive Decision-Making in a Macro-Micro Perspective (pp. 41-78). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.
• Frejka, T., Sobotka, T., Hoem, J. M., & Toulemon, L. (2008). Summary and general conclusions: Childbearing Trends and Policies in Europe. Demographic Research, 19, 5-14, doi:10.4054/DemRes.2008.19.2.
• McAllister, L. S., Pepper, G. V., Virgo, S., & Coall, D. A. (2016). The evolved psychological mechanisms of fertility motivation: hunting for causation in a sea of correlation. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 371(1692), doi:10.1098/rstb.2015.0151.
Notes
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Term 2021/22_L:
In year 2021/2022, the course is taught on-line (e-learning), classes take place live, on MS Teams. In order to participate in the classes, Students need to be able to use their microphones and cams. |
Term 2022/23_L:
In the academic year 2022/2023 the classes take place in the Institute of Psychology, room 1425. |
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: