Inhalt: "The current surge in childlessness is often seen as an alternative lifestyle amidst
growing pluralism and individualism. The results of this study indicate that several
subgroups of childless women need to be differentiated: those who actively decide
to forgo children in favour of other life pursuits and those who merely defer the
decision. Both have accumulated a high degree of human capital in their education
or career-building paths. Thus, the increase of a woman's time invested in education
or career formation takes its toll on the time available for childrearing. A survey
performed among female academics (N=193) brought to light that among childless women,
many merely mean to postpone motherhood until their career prospects are established.
Differences between those who outwardly reject motherhood and those who defer the
decision can be seen in a variety of job- and career-related aspects. However, due
to misconceptions about fertility, many of those who merely intended to postpone children
may inevitably end up 'involuntarily childless'. As this trend is most likely to increase
in the near future, the resolution of this conflict will be an important milestone
in the development of modern industrialized countries. As can be seen from this survey,
financial benefits will not induce women to enter into motherhood. Rather, societal
and infrastructural changes have to be brought about in order to induce women to enter
into motherhood." (author's abstract)|
Schlagwörter:Familie-Beruf; Karriere; Wissenschaftler; Akademikerin; Hochschulwesen; Planung; Karriereplanung
CEWS Kategorie:Vereinbarkeit Familie-Beruf
Dokumenttyp:Zeitschriftenaufsatz