Why Do Women Want Children? The Case of Hong Kong, China: A Lowest-Low Fertility Context

Governments in low fertility countries tend to tackle low birth rates by addressing macro-level factors rather than the meaning that having a child holds for men and women. Yet whether or not an individual decides to have a child depends in part on what they think having a child will mean for their lives. This study examines the meanings that constitute reasons for wanting a child among a sample of middle-class, married, Hong Kong Chinese women who wanted children. These women were living in Hong Kong when it had one of the lowest total fertility rates in the world and the lowest in its history. Using semi-structured, indepth interviews, it finds that for these women, to have a child makes one's family complete; is the next stage of life; provides happiness, fun, and enjoyment; brings care and company in old age; and children are "lovely" and "cute." Governments concerned about low birth rates can use research on what having a child means for women to improve policy so as to make having a child more attractive, and to create messages that hold greater appeal to women.