Gordon Carmichael 
Decisions to Have Children in Late 20th and Early 21st Century Australia 
A Qualitative Analysis

This book explores the process of decision-making around having children in a sample of 115 men, women and couples for whom family formation was a recent past, current or imminent future issue. The discussion is initially focused on the extent to which parenthood was contemplated in late adolescence and during the relationship formation/courtship process, and the process by which family sizes are determined. Decision-making associated with having first, second, third and fourth children is then examined in chapters entitled The First Child; The ‘Obligatory’ Second Child; The Discretionary Third Child and Fourth Children – Negative Reactions, Practical Issues. Decisions to Have Children in Late 20th and Early 21st Century Australia offers a detailed coverage of a topic with resonances and implications that apply to contemporary cultures all around the world. ​

Table of Content

Abstract.- Introduction.- Explicit and Implicit Decision-making.- Context–Delayed Childbearing.- The Qualitative Data.-  Contemplating Families.- Early thought about having children.- Discussion of children during courtship.- Determining Family Size.- How meaningful are early ‘expected’ family sizes?.-The process.- The First Child.-The ‘Obligatory’ Second Child.- The Discretionary Third Child.- Fourth Children–Negative Reactions, Practical Issues.- Discussion.- Acknowledgements.- References​.