Intergenerational Transmission of Fertility Timing in Germany

Kathrin Morosow, Stockholm University
Heike Trappe, University of Rostock

The transmission of behavior across generations has been of key interest to social scientists for a long time. The objective of this study is to examine the transition to first births considering factors that underlie continuity across generations in Germany. So far little research on the intergenerational transmission of fertility timing has been conducted for Germany due to data limitations. Based on data of the German Family Panel (pairfam), the intergenerational transmission of fertility timing between mothers and daughters born between 1971-73 and 1981-83 is examined using event history analysis. Results show a positive effect of mothers’ age at their daughters’ birth on daughters’ transition to first birth for early childbearing. Regarding the mechanisms underlying this intergenerational transmission, there is support for hypotheses derived from the socialization theory and not from the social control theory. Mothers’ socioeconomic characteristics seem to contribute little to a better understanding of their daughters’ transition to first birth.