Research is needed to examine the impact of economic and social factors in shaping alternative strategies for childbearing and child rearing and the family and contextual processes that shape norms and values about sexual and reproductive behavior. Further research is also needed on the implications of current trends for children, adults, and society. Research on the determinants and consequences of male fertility and fertility-related behaviors is needed to complement knowledge gained from research focused on women alone. Research focusing on the couple as the relevant unit in fertility analysis is also encouraged. In order to advance our understanding in this area, scientists are encouraged to develop innovative methods of obtaining non-biased samples, and samples that capture unmarried as well as married couples.
Research is needed on the relationship between parenthood and other familial and nonfamilial roles.
Specific topics include the interrelation between processes of role choice, change, and accommodation and fertility, and factors, such as child care and flexibility in the workplace, that ease or exacerbate role conflict. We encourage development of new approaches to capturing the dynamic aspects of entries to and exits from different adult roles, to understanding the factors contributing to variability in life course trajectories, and to accounting for selection processes in examining the consequences of different trajectories for fertility behavior and other life domains. The influence of context on fertility and fertility related behavior requires further study. Both normative and structural aspects of context may influence fertility. Policy-relevant variables and program inputs may also be viewed as contextual factors.