Fertility of the Second Generation: Do Children of Immigrants Adjust Fertility to Host Country Norms?

Kirk A. Scott, Lund University
Maria A. Stanfors, Lund University

This paper explores the fertility behavior of immigrants in Sweden from an integration perspective. While first generation immigrant fertility is an interesting topic, it only addresses a small portion of the integration question. In this study we are interested in examining the fertility of the second generation of immigrants and contrasting it with that of their parents and the native population. Using a register-based panel consisting of complete families we are able to take a multi-generational approach to the issue of fertility assimilation. Examining childless individuals born in Sweden from 16 national backgrounds we investigate the transition to parenthood and find that there is a difference between the second-generation and the first. While the first generation displays tendencies towards reduced fertility during establishment in the labor market, the second generation shows signs of segmented assimilation where childbearing is seen as an alternative career in the face of labor market difficulties.