SUBSEQUENT FERTILITY AMONG URBAN FATHERS: THE INFLUENCE OF RELATIONSHIP CONTEXT

Abstract

Using a longitudinal sample of 2,417 fathers from the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study, we examine interactive and structural dimensions of men’s relationships associated with their decision to father a subsequent birth (with the same partner or a different partner). Multinomial logistic regression analyses indicate that fathers reporting higher relationship satisfaction had greater odds of a subsequent birth with the same partner compared with no birth or a birth with a different partner. Fathers reporting lower conflict also had greater odds of a subsequent birth with the same partner versus no birth. Unmarried men and men in unstable relationships had increased odds of a subsequent birth with a different partner versus the same partner, whereas men in more stable relationships had higher odds of a birth with the same partner. Findings suggest that men’s relationships influence their subsequent fertility.