Çocuk Sahibi Olmak: Olumlu ya da Olumsuz Çocuk Sahibi Olma Motivasyonları Sosyodemografik Değişkenlerden Etkileniyor mu?

Abstract

Çocuk sahibi olmak, tarih boyunca bireysel ve toplumsal düzeyde önemli bir yaşam kararı olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Günümüzde ise bireylerin çocuk sahibi olma kararları; geleneksel değerlerin yanı sıra ekonomik koşullar, eğitim düzeyi, bireyselleşme eğilimleri ve yaşam beklentileri gibi çeşitli faktörlerin etkisiyle şekillenmektedir. Bu durum, çocuk sahibi olma motivasyonlarını daha karmaşık hale getirmekte ve konuya ilişkin detaylı araştırmaları gerekli kılmaktadır. Bu araştırma, bireylerin çocuk sahibi olmaya yönelik olumlu ve olumsuz motivasyonlarını; cinsiyet, medeni durum, gelir düzeyi, eğitim düzeyi, çocuk sahibi olma durumu ve yaşanılan yer gibi sosyodemografik değişkenlere göre incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Nicel yöntemle ve ilişkisel tarama modeli kapsamında yürütülen çalışmaya 578 birey katılmıştır. Veri toplama sürecinde "Çocuk Sahibi Olma Motivasyonları Ölçeği" ve "Demografik Bilgi Formu" kullanılmıştır. Araştırma bulguları, çocuk sahibi olma motivasyonlarının sosyodemografik değişkenlere göre anlamlı biçimde farklılık gösterdiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Cinsiyet temelinde yapılan analizlerde, kadınların çocuk sahibi olmaya yönelik olumlu motivasyonlarının erkeklere kıyasla daha yüksek olduğu; buna karşılık, erkeklerin olumsuz motivasyon düzeylerinin daha belirgin olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Medeni durum açısından ise evli bireylerin olumlu motivasyon düzeylerinin, boşanmış bireylere göre daha yüksek olduğu görülmüştür. Gelir düzeyi arttıkça bireylerin çocuk sahibi olmaya dair olumlu yaklaşımlarının arttığı belirlenmiştir; ancak gelir düzeyinin artışı olumsuz motivasyonlarda anlamlı bir değişiklik yaratmamaktadır. Çocuk sahibi bireylerin, çocuk sahibi olmayanlara kıyasla olumlu motivasyonlarının daha yüksek, olumsuz motivasyonlarının ise daha düşük olduğu dikkat çekmiştir. Eğitim düzeyine göre yapılan değerlendirmelerde ise eğitim seviyesi yükseldikçe bireylerin çocuk sahibi olma konusunu daha sorgulayıcı bir biçimde ele aldığı ve bu durumun motivasyon düzeylerine anlamlı bir şekilde yansıdığı gözlemlenmiştir. Ayrıca yaşanılan yer değişkeni açısından da dikkat çekici sonuçlar elde edilmiştir. Kırsal bölgelerde yaşayan bireylerin çocuk sahibi olma konusunda daha olumlu yaklaşımlar sergilediği, kentte yaşayan bireylerde ise olumsuz motivasyonların daha yüksek olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bu sonuçlar, çocuk sahibi olma kararının yalnızca bireysel değil, aynı zamanda toplumsal etkenlerle de şekillendiğini ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

• Çocuk Sahibi Olma Motivasyonları
• sosyodemografik
• doğurganlık kararları

Having Children: Are Positive and Negative Childbearing Motivations Influenced by Sociodemographic Variables?

Abstract

Childbearing has historically been considered a significant life decision at both individual and societal levels. In today's world, however, individuals' decisions regarding childbearing are shaped not only by traditional values but also by various factors such as economic conditions, level of education, tendencies toward individualization, and life expectations. This multifaceted structure renders childbearing motivations more complex and necessitates in-depth research on the topic. This study aims to examine individuals' positive and negative childbearing motivations in relation to sociodemographic variables such as gender, marital status, income level, education level, parental status, and place of residence. The research was conducted using a quantitative method and a relational survey model, with a total of 578 participants. Data were collected through the “Motivations for Having Children Scale” and a “Demographic Information Form.” The findings reveal that childbearing motivations significantly differ according to various sociodemographic characteristics. Gender-based analyses show that women have higher levels of positive motivation toward childbearing compared to men, while men exhibit more pronounced negative motivations. In terms of marital status, married individuals display higher positive motivation levels than divorced individuals. As income levels increase, positive childbearing motivations also rise; however, no significant change is observed in negative motivations. Furthermore, individuals who are already parents demonstrate stronger positive motivations and lower negative motivations than those who are not. Regarding education, higher levels of education are associated with a more questioning approach toward childbearing decisions, which is reflected in the motivation levels. Lastly, place of residence also plays a notable role: individuals living in rural areas tend to have more positive motivations, whereas those living in urban settings show higher levels of negative motivations. These results indicate that childbearing decisions are shaped not only by personal factors but also by broader societal influences.

Keywords

• Childbearing Motivations
• Sociodemographic
• Childbearing decisions

References

1. Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
2. Apostolou, M., & Hadjimarkou, M. (2018). Domains of motivation in men and women for initiating and terminating procreation in an evolutionary perspective. Marriage & Family Review, 54(5), 486–506. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494929.2017.1414723
3. Arnold, F., Bulatao, R. A., & Buripakdi, C. (1975). The value of children: A cross-national study. East-West Population Institute.
4. Aslan, N. (2019). Türklerde aile anlayışı ve çocuk. Türk Dünyası Araştırmaları, 121(239), 457-464. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/tda/issue/58682/847532
5. Baizán, P., Aassve, A., & Billari, F. C. (2004). The interrelations between cohabitation, marriage and first birth in Germany and Sweden. Population and Environment, 25(6), 531–561. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:POEN.0000039064.65655.3b
6. Becker, G. S. (1981). A Treatise on the Family. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
7. Bell, A. V., Richerson, P. J., & McElreath, R. (2014). Culture rather than genes provides greater scope for the evolution of large-scale human prosociality. PNAS, 106(42), 17671–17674. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0903232106
8. Bell, R., Bancroft, J., & Philip, A. (1985). The decision to have children: A psychological perspective. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 3(2), 121–133. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838508408864

9. Belsky, J., & Isabella, R. A. (1985). Marital and parent-child relationships in family of origin and marital adjustment following the birth of a baby: A retrospective analysis. Child Development, 56(2), 342–349. https://doi.org/10.2307/1129728
10. Berkowitz, L. (2012). Social psychology. Basic Books.
11. Berrington, A., & Pattaro, S. (2014). Educational differences in fertility desires, intentions and behaviour: A life course perspective. Advances in Life Course Research, 21, 10–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alcr.2014.01.003
12. Billari, F. C. (2015). Integrating macro- and micro-level approaches in the explanation of fertility behavior. Population Studies, 69(S1), S11–S20. https://doi.org/10.1080/00324728.2014.969928https://doi.org/10.1080/00324728.2014.969928
13. Billari, F. C., & Kohler, H. P. (2004). Patterns of low and lowest-low fertility in Europe. Population Studies, 58(2), 161–176. https://doi.org/10.1080/0032472042000213695https://doi.org/10.1080/0032472042000213695
14. Blake, J. (1967). Population policy for the United States. Science, 158(3802), 730–739. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.158.3802.730
15. Callan, V. J. (1983). Perceptions of parents, parenthood, and the decision to remain childless. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 45(1), 139–151. https://doi.org/10.2307/351302
16. Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
17. Dyer, S. J., Mokoena, N. E., Maritz, J. S., & van der Spuy, Z. M. (2008). Motives for parenthood among couples attending a level 3 infertility clinic in the public health sector in South Africa. Human Reproduction, 23(2), 352–357. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dem319
18. Ercan, R. (2014). Türk atasözlerinde çocuk imgeleri. Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 11(27), 15-31. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/mkusbed/issue/19573/208722
19. Fiori, F., Graham, E., & Rinesi, F. (2018). Economic reasons for not wanting children: A comparison of Italy and the UK. European Journal of Population, 34(3), 411–435. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10680-017-9433-1https://doi.org/10.1007/s10680-017-9433-1
20. Gerson, K. (1985). Hard choices: How women decide about work, career, and motherhood. University of California Press.
21. Gillespie, R. (2003). Childfree and feminine: Understanding the gender identity of voluntarily childless women. Gender & Society, 17(1), 122–136. https://doi.org/10.1177/0891243202238982
22. Hamilton, B. E., Martin, J. A., & Osterman, M. J. K. (2024, April). Births: Provisional data for 2023 (Vital Statistics Rapid Release, Report No. 35). National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/vsrr035.pdfhttps://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/vsrr035.pdf
23. Helm, S. V., Ahlheim, M., & Anders, S. (2021). Fertility decisions in modern society: Empirical insights from Germany. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 42(1), 123–137. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-020-09724-z
24. Hofferth, S. L., Pleck, J. H., Stueve, J. L., Bianchi, S. M., & Sayer, L. C. (2013). The demography of fathers: What fathers do. In N. J. Cabrera & C. S. Tamis-LeMonda (Eds.), Handbook of father involvement: Multidisciplinary perspectives (pp. 26–57). Routledge. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287890922_The_Demography_of_What_Fathers_Do
25. Kagitcibasi, C. (2007). Family, self, and human development across cultures: Theory and applications (2nd ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
26. Karataş, K. (2001). Toplumsal değişme ve aile. Toplum ve Sosyal Hizmet, 12(2), 89-98. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/tsh/issue/48488/616790
27. Kılıç, S. (2013). Örnekleme yöntemleri. Journal of Mood Disorders, 3(1), 44–46. https://doi.org/10.5455/jmood.20130325011731 Kızılaslan, N. (2006). Kente uzaklığın kırsal aile yapısına etkileri. ZKÜ Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 2(3), 141–162.
28. Koropeckyj-Cox, T., & Pendell, G. (2007). The gender gap in attitudes about childlessness in the United States. Journal of Marriage and Family, 69(4), 899–915. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2007.00421.x
29. Kravdal, Ø., & Rindfuss, R. R. (2008). Changing relationships between education and fertility: A study of women and men born 1940 to 1964. American Sociological Review, 73(5), 854–873. https://doi.org/10.1177/000312240807300508
30. Langdridge, D., Connolly, K., & Sheeran, P. (2000). Reasons for wanting a child: The role of prospective parenthood in parenthood motivation. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 18(4), 321–338. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646830020001921
31. Lesthaeghe, R. (2010). The unfolding story of the second demographic transition. Population and Development Review, 36(2), 211–251. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1728-4457.2010.00328.x
32. Lutz, W., Skirbekk, V., & Testa, M. R. (2006). The low fertility trap hypothesis: Forces that may lead to further postponement and fewer births in Europe. Vienna Yearbook of Population Research, 2006, 167–192. https://doi.org/10.1553/populationyearbook2006s167https://doi.org/10.1553/populationyearbook2006s167
33. Margolis, R., & Myrskylä, M. (2016). Children’s well-being and fertility intentions: Evidence from Canada. Population Studies, 70(3), 319–338. https://doi.org/10.1080/00324728.2016.1191411
34. Martin, J. A., Hamilton, B. E., & Osterman, M. J. K. (2024, August). Births in the United States, 2023 (NCHS Data Brief No. 507). National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db507.htmhttps://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db507.htm
35. Martin, S. P. (2000). Diverging fertility among U.S. women who delay childbearing until the late 30s: The role of education. Demography, 37(4), 523–533. https://doi.org/10.2307/2648074
36. McDonald, P. (2000). Gender equity in theories of fertility transition. Population and Development Review, 26(3), 427–439.
37. McLoyd, V. C. (1998). Socioeconomic disadvantage and child development. American Psychologist, 53(2), 185–204. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.53.2.185
38. Michael, R. T. (1973). Education and the derived demand for children. Journal of Political Economy, 81(2, Part 2), S128–S164. https://doi.org/10.1086/260166
39. Miettinen, A., Rotkirch, A., Szalma, I., Donno, A., & Tanturri, M. L. (2015). Increasing childlessness in Europe: Time trends and country differences. Families and Societies Working Paper Series, 33, 2-46. https://www.familiesandsocieties.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/WP33MiettinenEtal2015.pdfhttps://www.familiesandsocieties.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/WP33MiettinenEtal2015.pdf
40. Miller, W. B. (1994). Childbearing motivations, desires, and intentions: A theoretical framework. Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs, 120(2), 223–258. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8045374/
41. Mills, M., Rindfuss, R. R., McDonald, P., & te Velde, E. (2011). Why do people postpone parenthood? Reasons and social policy incentives. Human Reproduction Update, 17(6), 848–860. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmr026
42. Myrskylä, M., Kohler, H. P., & Billari, F. C. (2009). Advances in development reverse fertility declines. Nature, 460(7256), 741–743. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature08230
43. Nauck, B. (2007). Value of children and the framing of fertility: Results from a cross-cultural comparative survey in 10 societies. European Sociological Review, 23(5), 615–629. https://doi.org/10.1093/esr/jcm028
44. Nauck, B., & Klaus, D. (2007). The varying value of children: Empirical results from eleven societies in Asia, Africa and Europe. Current Sociology, 55(4), 487–503. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011392107077634
45. Newton, C. R., Sherrard, W., & Glavac, I. (1992). The fertility problem inventory: Measuring perceived infertility-related stress. Fertility and Sterility, 58(3), 507–515. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(16)55394-3
46. Pomar, L., Favre, G., & Baud, D. (2022). Decline in birth rates in European countries during the COVID-19 pandemic: A population-based study. The Lancet Public Health, 7(1), e10–e11. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(21)00205-5
47. Seccombe, K. (1991). Assessing the costs and benefits of children: Gender comparisons among child-free adults. Journal of Marriage and Family, 53(1), 191–202. https://doi.org/10.2307/353144
48. Şimşek, A. H. (2017).Çocuk Sahibi Olma Motivasyonları Ölçeği Türkçeye uyarlama, geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması. Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 4 (13), 395-408. https://toad.halileksi.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/cocuk-sahibi-olma-motivasyonlari-olcegi-toad.pdfhttps://toad.halileksi.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/cocuk-sahibi-olma-motivasyonlari-olcegi-toad.pdf
49. Testa, M. R. (2007). Childbearing preferences and family issues in Europe. European Journal of Population, 23(3–4), 209–230. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10680-007-9129-9
50. Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu. (2024, Mayıs 9). Doğum istatistikleri, 2023 (Yayın No: 53708). https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Dogum-Istatistikleri-2023-53708https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Dogum-Istatistikleri-2023-53708
51. Varas, A., & Borsa, J. C. (2021). Socioeconomic status and fertility intentions: A systematic review. Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica, 34(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41155-021-00189-8
52. Weeden, J., Abrams, M. J., Green, M. C., & Sabini, J. (2006). Do high-status people really have fewer children? Education, income, and fertility in the contemporary U.S. Human Nature, 17, 377–392. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12110-006-1001-y