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Partner Choice and the Transition to Parenthood for Second-Generation Women of Turkish and Moroccan Origin in Belgium

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Abstract

Studies on fertility among second-generation migrant women across Europe have mainly treated the second generation as a rather homogenous group, not linking and distinguishing fertility patterns by type of partner. This study investigates how and to what extent the origin and generation of the partner (endogamous or exogamous as well as diversity in endogamy) of Turkish and Moroccan second-generation women in Belgium is related to first-birth rates. We distinguish three types of partnerships: those in an endogamous union with a first-generation partner, those in an endogamous union with a second-generation partner, and those in an exogenous union where the partner is of native Belgian origin. We use linked Census-Register data for the period 2001–2006. Applying event history models, our findings reveal clear differences between the endogamous and exogamous unions with respect to the timing of first births. Second-generation women of both origin groups have the lowest parenthood rates when the partner is of native Belgian origin. However, no variation is found within endogamous unions. For endogamous unions with a first-generation partner, the parenthood rates are approximately the same (and not higher, as was expected) compared to when the partner is also of second generation.

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Fig. 1

Source: Belgian Census (2001) and National Population Register (2006)

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Notes

  1. We also tested the distinction between first-, 1.5-, and second-generation endogamous partners. First-generation partners migrated to Belgium after the age of 18; 1.5-generation partners arrived between the ages 1 and 18; and second-generation partners were either born in Belgium or migrated before age 1. Given the limited endogamous unions with a 1.5-generation man (N T = 62 and N M = 103) and the substantive similar findings, we grouped the 1.5- and first-generation partners into one category (first-generation) and opted for the distinction between first- and second-generation endogamous partners.

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Acknowledgements

The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Research Council under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP/2007–2013) / ERC Grant Agreement No. 312290 for the GENDERBALL Project. In addition, the research was part of and supported by the European Research Council Starting Grant Project (No. 263829) “Families of migrant origin: A life course perspective”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Interface Demography, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium

    Lisa Van Landschoot & Didier Willaert

  2. Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute/ KNAW/ Population Research Center, University of Groningen, Lange Houtstraat 19, 2511 CV, The Hague, The Netherlands

    Helga A. G. de Valk

  3. Faculty of Social Science, Family and Population Studies, University of Leuven, Parkstraat 45, Bus 3601, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Jan Van Bavel

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  1. Lisa Van Landschoot
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Correspondence to Lisa Van Landschoot.

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Appendix

Appendix

Tables 4, 5 and 6.

Table 4 Odds ratios (Exp(B)) for the transition to a first birth with 95% confidence intervals between brackets, endogamy versus exogamy, second generation ≤6 years
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Table 5 Odds ratios (Exp(B)) for the transition to a first birth with 95% confidence intervals between brackets, endogamy versus exogamy, with unknown information
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Table 6 Odds ratios (Exp(B)) for the transition to a first birth with 95% confidence intervals between brackets, endogamy versus exogamy, 15–25 years
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Van Landschoot, L., Willaert, D., de Valk, H.A.G. et al. Partner Choice and the Transition to Parenthood for Second-Generation Women of Turkish and Moroccan Origin in Belgium. Eur J Population 34, 579–608 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10680-017-9438-0

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