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Why Are Fertility Intentions Declining Among Generation Z Women? Insights from the Chinese Context

Xu, Ruoxuan LU (2025) SOCM05 20251
Sociology
Abstract
The global decline in fertility rates has become a pressing issue. This study focuses on Gen Z women, who are emerging as the primary childbearing population for marriage and childbearing, and conducts a qualitative investigation into the underlying logic behind their declining fertility intentions. Using a multi-method qualitative approach that combines semi-structured interviews with online ethnography, the study reveals that Gen Z women are no
longer unconditionally accepting reproductive pressure from older generations. They demonstrate stronger reflexivity and individual agency, and many no longer view children in terms of functional or instrumental value. Some women emphasized the importance of
concentrating resources on a single... (More)
The global decline in fertility rates has become a pressing issue. This study focuses on Gen Z women, who are emerging as the primary childbearing population for marriage and childbearing, and conducts a qualitative investigation into the underlying logic behind their declining fertility intentions. Using a multi-method qualitative approach that combines semi-structured interviews with online ethnography, the study reveals that Gen Z women are no
longer unconditionally accepting reproductive pressure from older generations. They demonstrate stronger reflexivity and individual agency, and many no longer view children in terms of functional or instrumental value. Some women emphasized the importance of
concentrating resources on a single child. Furthermore, Gen Z women express a stronger orientation toward gender equality. The extent to which men participate in the domestic sphere is one of the key factors influencing their reproductive decisions. This challenges traditional gender roles and contributes to a reconfiguration of gender dynamics within the family. This study provides empirical insight into how contemporary Chinese women’s
individualization and gender consciousness shape their fertility intentions, within the framework of compressed modernity, neo-familism and gender revolution. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Xu, Ruoxuan LU
supervisor
organization
course
SOCM05 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Fertility Intention, Generation Z, Intergenerational Relationship, Gender Inequality, Siblings Relationship
language
English
id
9194281
date added to LUP
2025-06-10 16:46:38
date last changed
2025-06-10 16:46:38
@misc{9194281,
  abstract     = {{The global decline in fertility rates has become a pressing issue. This study focuses on Gen Z women, who are emerging as the primary childbearing population for marriage and childbearing, and conducts a qualitative investigation into the underlying logic behind their declining fertility intentions. Using a multi-method qualitative approach that combines semi-structured interviews with online ethnography, the study reveals that Gen Z women are no 
longer unconditionally accepting reproductive pressure from older generations. They demonstrate stronger reflexivity and individual agency, and many no longer view children in terms of functional or instrumental value. Some women emphasized the importance of 
concentrating resources on a single child. Furthermore, Gen Z women express a stronger orientation toward gender equality. The extent to which men participate in the domestic sphere is one of the key factors influencing their reproductive decisions. This challenges traditional gender roles and contributes to a reconfiguration of gender dynamics within the family. This study provides empirical insight into how contemporary Chinese women’s 
individualization and gender consciousness shape their fertility intentions, within the framework of compressed modernity, neo-familism and gender revolution.}},
  author       = {{Xu, Ruoxuan}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Why Are Fertility Intentions Declining Among Generation Z Women? Insights from the Chinese Context}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}