Study finds parenting worries reduce second child likelihood among fathers in Finland

A study from the University of Jyväskylä reveals that worries about parenting significantly decrease the likelihood of having a second child among parents. The research examined how concerns related to parenting explain the probability of parents having a second child within five years of their firstborn’s birth. Four worries were identified: adequacy of parenting skills, exhaustion, loss of control in conflicts with children, and feelings of loneliness or the burden of single-handed responsibility.

Fathers who did not experience any of these concerns had nearly an 80% chance of having another child during the study period. In contrast, those fathers who experienced all four worries had only about a 35% probability of welcoming a second child. While mothers showed similar worries, the same correlation with having a second child did not apply.

Sanna Moilanen, the project’s lead researcher and a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Jyväskylä’s Department of Education, suggested these results might stem from mothers typically having a larger support network compared to fathers. Mothers are more likely to seek expert advice on parenting and may utilize child healthcare services more often, contributing positively to their confidence.

Moilanen emphasized the importance of providing parents, particularly new ones, with discussion support and practical assistance. She believes that fathers are also eager to talk about parenting, but adequate opportunities may be lacking. Additionally, peer support groups could offer the needed encouragement for fathers. The study utilized longitudinal survey data collected as part of the Childcare research project, funded by the Strategic Research Council of the Academy of Finland, involving 544 parents with a firstborn child around one year old.