The Effect of Changing Gender Roles on Fertility-An analysis of two European country groups

Abstract: This thesis aims to test the effect of changing gender roles on fertility. Previous literature has suggested that moving towards gender equality in the household sphere can increase fertility. I test whether a more equal division of housework or gender-egalitarian attitudes affect fertility. Two country groups are analysed that are at different levels regarding fertility and female labour force participation. The first group includes Northern countries (Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway) the second group continental countries (Austria, Germany, Switzerland). The cross- sectional data set stems from the International Survey Programme (ISSP) 2012 - Family and Changing Gender Roles IV. With the help of logistic regression models, I look at different parity transitions and their relationship with the division of housework, the perceived fairness of this division, and the attitudes towards how paid parental leave should be divided. Although the estimates were not significant in all cases, some suggestive evidence could be found for a positive relationship between having more than two children and a more egalitarian division of housework in the Northern countries. In comparison, the continental countries seem to have not evolved as far regarding gender-egalitarian behaviour and attitudes, thus weaker estimates were reported. A potential reason for this might be their differing welfare systems. Changing the welfare systems of the group of the continental countries towards a model similar to the Northern countries might help to increase fertility in the continental countries.