Young Adults′Perceptions of Meanings and Motivations of Parenthood

This study analyses young adults'perceptions of the meanings and motivations of parenthood. It also verifies the relationship between the meanings and motivations of parenthood by young adults. The sample population included 311 university students. Our findings show that young adults perceived parenthood variously as a personal lifestyle, and as an statement of social maturation and sound mind and of marital satisfaction. There were no differences by gender in their perceptions on the meaning of parenthood. As for the motivation to become parents, strengthening biological family ties, traditional norms, emotional and altruistic reasons, deepening marital bonds, and perpetuating one's self through the passing on of genes. Among these, altruistic-emotional motivation and marital cohesion were stronger than other motivations. Finally, we provide recommendations for future research.

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