Now or later? The Theory of Planned Behavior and timing of fertility intentions

Using the Theory of Planned Behavior as a framework, this article investigates the role of attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control on intentions to have a child, comparing their effect on intention to have a child now with their effect on intention to have a child during the next three years. Data from Norway (N = 1307) show that subjective norms have a significant effect on the timing of intentions to have a child for both childless people and parents: the more both groups feel that their intention to have a child is supported by their families and friends, the more likely they are to want a child now compared to within the next three years. Attitudes also have a significant effect on differences in the timing of intentions, for parents but not for childless people. Perceived behavioural control is a significant determinant for both groups: people who consider themselves better able to cope with having child are more likely to intend to have a child now rather than within the next three years. This effect disappears when we control for demographic background variables, suggesting that the effect of perceived control on the timing of having a child varies considerably with personal circumstances