Familienerweiterung aus der Perspektive des Paares

The two-child family is an established and frequently observed family model in all social groups. Although the desire for a second child is widespread among the population, empirical research investigating the decision-making process for a second child within couple relationships is rudimentary. This can be attributed to the fact that, in comparison to starting a family, possible disruptions in the individuals’ own lives and the relationship of the partners are much smaller. Based on the Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics and using a longitudinal multivariate probit model, this study analyzed the decision to have a second child as the result of a negotiation process within the partnership. The results show that the decision to have a second child is preceded by mutual influence between the partners. The decision-making process is largely determined by the time of the birth of the first child and by the age of the female partner. Furthermore, a traditional gender-specific division of labor with the woman’s simultaneous participation in the workforce and informal support from the male partner’s social network prove to be particularly conducive to the birth of a second child together.