Are the Interests of Women Inherently at Odds with the Interests of Children or the Family? A Viewpoint

Abstract

Abstract To ask a data-bound demographer to address this question is a formidable challenge. Yet this issue underlies much of the research demographers do and many of the family policies others propose or enact. If we care about the future, we need to take this question seriously and consider both the assump¬ tions we make about gender differences in parenting and the evidence that supports these assumptions. It is in this context that I proceed—with caution. I begin by defining terms and rephrasing the question according to these definitions; I then attempt to answer the question by posing a general thesis; and I conclude with a policy discussion. My discussion focuses primarily on the United States, since I know the data and policy debates best for this country, but many of the points relate to other highly industrialized countries as well. First, then, some definitions.

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