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284037
Perceived ideal circumstances for childbearing across groups of different social position
Objectives: To assess and compare perceptions of childbearing among those who became pregnant before or during their desired ‘ideal' situation.
Methods: The Social Position and Family Formation (SPAFF) study comprised cross-sectional, qualitative interviews from a community–based sample of 200 men and women (18-35 years), with and without children, of various racial/ethnic, financial and educational backgrounds. We categorized individuals by those who became pregnant either before or during their perceived ‘ideal' childbearing circumstances and analyzed transcripts from both groups to identify themes pertaining to childbearing.
Results: Preliminary analyses suggest that both groups maintain similar ideals prior to childbearing, specifically completing their education and achieving financial stability. Those who became pregnant before their ideal circumstances chose to either have an abortion or keep the child, each perceived as a responsible decision. Those who became pregnant during their ideal circumstances characterized this as the “right” way to get pregnant, specifically being older and married. Their reasons for having a child included the desire to be a parent as well as social pressure.
Conclusions: Those who became pregnant before or during their ideal circumstances had similar goals prior to childbearing regarding education and finances. These early findings help explain childbearing ideals across groups of different social position and have implications for improved conceptualization of pregnancy intentions.
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Assess and compare how individuals discuss the circumstances of getting pregnant before or during their own self-imposed idealized situation.
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be an abstract author because: I hold a PhD in Public Health and am an active member of a qualitative working group, exploring how individuals of varying economic positions and race/ethnicity think about family formation. Furthermore, I have several years of experience conducting both qualitative and quantitative research on sexual health and family planning.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.