Low fertility intention in Tehran, Iran: The role of attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioral control

Informed by the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study examines the hypothesis that individuals’ background factors are external variables influencing fertility intentions largely through attitudes to positive or negative outcome of having a (another) child, perceived norms, measuring external social pressures for having a/another child, and perceived behavioral control, measuring whether a person is able to have a (another) child. This study uses data from the 2012 Tehran Survey of Fertility Intentions, conducted by the author among a representative sample of 2,267 married women aged less than 36 and men living with such women in Tehran, the capital of Iran. Multivariate results show that individuals who viewed having a (another) child more detrimental for their personal life, those who felt less social pressures from their peers for having a (another) child, and those who perceived a greater control over resources, required for childbearing, were more likely to intend to have no (more) children or to be unsure rather than to have a/another child. Attitudes and norms had a greater effect on the intention to have a first child, whereas the intention to a second child was largely influenced by attitudes and perceived behavioral control. The implications of the results for polices, aiming to raise fertility, are discussed.