Couple disagreement: Effects on the formation and implementation of fertility decisions

Abstract This article focuses on how couple disagreement affects the translation of fertility desires into fertility intentions, and the implementation of fertility intentions through the initiation of proceptive behavior. We use data collected by interview from the husbands and wives of 201 married couples with no children, and 200 married couples with one child. Data were collected at four times, spanning a 3‐1/2‐year interval. The effect on fertility intentions of couple disagreement in fertility desires was modeled with regression analysis after disaggregating individuals in positive disagreement with their spouses (having stronger desires) from those in negative disagreement with their spouses (having weaker desires). The effect on proceptive behavior of couple disagreement in fertility intentions was similarly modeled. The results reveal different patterns of positive/negative disagreement that vary by sex, parity, and time, and that differ for three different fertility desireslintentions and for the prediction of proceptive behavior. The discussion focuses on interpreting these findings in terms of a psychological state identified as “responsiveness to spouse” and on explaining why this state varies by sex and across the life course.