The Changing Impact of Women’s Educational Attainment and Employment on the Timing of Births in Canada

Abstract

This study examined the influence of maternal birth cohort on the timing and risk of childbearing in Canada. The analysis considered the impact of education and paid employment marital status contraceptive use region of residence country of birth and religious affiliation. The analysis relied on bivariate and multivariate models and the interactions between education and employment. Data were obtained from the 1995 General Social Survey of Canada among 3519 women of all marital statuses aged 18-49 years. The sample was stratified according to birth cohort. Bivariate results reveal that level of attainment was related to a negative linear relationship to proportions having a birth at all ages. Higher education was associated with lower proportions giving birth. A higher proportion at any educational level proceeded to a second birth. Second births were less strongly related to educational level. The negative effect of education on first and second parities was strongest among younger age groups at the highest educational level. Full-time regular employment was associated with increased proportions of women having first or second births. Multivariate analysis reveals that employment and education had the strongest impact on timing of births. Employment prior to a birth increased the risk of first and second births for all ages except the oldest group of second parity women. Education at first birth had a strong and significant negative impact on the risk of birth with controls for other factors. The greatest impact was among the youngest ages. Findings suggest a changing relationship over time between womens education and fertility.

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