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Journal of Family Issues
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Planned Parenthood?

Fertility Intentions and Experiences Among Cohabiting Couples

Sharon Sassler

Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, SS589{at}Cornell.edu

Amanda Miller

The Ohio State University, Columbus

Sarah M. Favinger

State Employment Relations Board, Columbus, Ohio

Most research on nonmarital births focuses on disadvantaged populations. This study examined the childbearing expectations and experiences of a working-class sample, drawing on in-depth interviews with 30 cohabiting couples. Few couples in the sample were attempting to conceive; most desired to defer parenting. Three responses emerged to how a pregnancy would be resolved. The largest group would be dismayed but would bear the child. A smaller set indicated that it would terminate a pregnancy. The third group disagreed on the outcome. Relationship context and partner attributes were key factors in fertility decisions. Couples who believed that they had a future together were most likely to agree that they would have the child, though not necessarily preceded by marriage; they were the most consistent users of contraception. Couples of the second and third groups (termination, nonconcurrence) were less regular or less effective contraceptors. Results are discussed in light of public policy interest in reducing nonmarital births.

Key Words: cohabitation • premarital birth • unintended pregnancy • fertility

This version was published on February 1, 2009

Journal of Family Issues, Vol. 30, No. 2, 206-232 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0192513X08324114
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