The study, which is based on data from the National Survey of Family Growth, found that women aged 15-19 expect to have an average of 2.3 children. However, by the time they are 35-39, their expectations have dropped to 1.9 children. And by the time they are 40-44, their expectations have fallen even further, to 1.7 children.
The reality is that most American women have fewer children than they expect. In 2020, the average fertility rate in the United States was 1.64 children per woman, well below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman.
The study also found that there are significant differences in fertility expectations between different groups of women. For example, women who live in rural areas expect to have more children than women who live in urban areas. Similarly, women who are less educated expect to have more children than women who are more educated.
The study's findings have implications for policy makers and planners who are trying to understand and meet the needs of American families. For example, the findings suggest that there may be a need for more childcare and early childhood education programs to support families with young children. Additionally, the findings suggest that there may be a need for more programs that help women to achieve their educational and career goals, which could lead to lower fertility rates.
Overall, the study provides a better understanding of the complex relationship between fertility expectations and fertility behavior among American women.
