1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« This paper aims at a better understanding of the roles that men play in reproduction. » (p. 2) « Some of the findings of this study are not unique to men. From studies of women’s fertility and marriage patterns, we know that fertility has significantly declined over cohorts and that younger cohorts have substantially delayed the onset of parenthood. Nevertheless, it is important to study men’s fertility for the implied message that men are as important as women are in the reproductive process. Moreover, bringing one’s attention to the under-reporting of children by men underscores issues pertaining to children of non-marital unions and non-intact families. The study of factors affecting men’s fertility highlights the importance of economic rationale in the decision-making process and the socio-cultural influences bearing upon the timing of the onset of fathering. However, we still have a long way to go in understanding men’s fertility in Canada. » (p. 80)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
« The study uses the 1995 General Social Survey of the Family that collected retrospective data on individuals and their families including marital and fertility histories from 10 750 men and women aged 15 and older residing in Canada, excluding residents of institutions and the Territories. In most of our analysis, we focus on the sample of men born in 1921 to 1970 (aged 25 to 74 as of the survey date) consisting of 3 930 respondents. We make use of both the main and children’s public use micro-data files. » (p. 2)

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

« In Canada, as in many Western countries, men’s fertility has not been extensively studied as fertility or reproduction has been mainly taken as women’s concern […]. However, recent socio-demographic changes have put men’s fertility to the fore. These changes included high divorce and cohabitation rates, increased participation of women in the labour force, and the shift from family to individual wage rates, each affecting gender division of labour that places more responsibility on men for children rearing. This paper aims at a better understanding of the roles that men play in reproduction and consists mainly of two parts. The first describes the levels and timing of men’s fertility and the second explores factors affecting fertility. Before these two parts, we discuss the data and methodology. The final section mentions further research on men’s fertility that we intend to do. » (p. 2)