THE THIRD CHILD : BEHIND THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS

Abstract

During the 'stop-at-two' policy era, several disincentives were adopted to "induce" the two-child family norm. Since then, the two-child family norm persists as the dominant social norm in Singapore even with the reversal in the population policy in March 1987. In view of this, having a third child is perceived as deviating from the norm. However, this deviation is crucial to alter fertility trends in Singapore where fertility rates are presently below replacement level. Therefore, this study aims to understand the dynamics behind the decision-making process leading to the third child which encompasses a willingness to deviate from the social norm. This study is conducted on Chinese married women in Singapore who have three children. The decision-making process is examined at two levels: the individuals' and the couples' levels. Individual decision-making entails the perception of the value of children, motherhood and work. These perceptions, which shape a woman's decision, further enter as inputs into the couples' decision-making process. It is hoped that the findings of this study will contribute to the understanding of the reasons for wanting a third child, and more than that, the dynamics behind the decision-making process.