What matters to women: beyond reproductive stereotypes

This article reports on a qualitative study of reproductive decision-making. The findings suggest that many of the popular stereotypes of women’s aspirations and motivations that fuel public discussions of Australia’s falling birth-rate and policy initiatives such as paid maternity leave are inaccurate and unhelpful. The article also challenges the efficacy of preference theory in accounting for women’s choices with respect to work and family. Copyright. Monash University and the author/s