Social mobility, individual agency, and the reimagining of motherhood: Emerging trends in Women's reproductive desires in Türkiye
Women and Children Nursing, 2026 (Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.wcn.2026.03.003
- Dergi Adı: Women and Children Nursing
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Behavior, Demography, Fertility, Mothers, Reproductive, Social mobility
- Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Introduction: Motherhood is a multidimensional phenomenon shaped by biological, social, and economic factors. While fertility decline is well-documented in Türkiye, limited research addresses how individual agency and social mobility intersect with reproductive decisions. This study aims to evaluate the sociodemographic, psychosocial, and environmental determinants of women's desire for motherhood in Ankara by focusing on the interplay between structural constraints and individual aspirations. Materials and methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted using an urban sample of women aged 18–55 years from five districts of Ankara. A multistage stratified systematic cluster sampling method was used to ensure diverse socioeconomic representation. Pregnant women were excluded to focus on prospective reproductive desires and eliminate confounding bias. Data were analyzed using binary logistic regression, and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results: Marital status emerged as a robust predictor; married women had approximately 2.5 times higher odds of desiring motherhood compared to single women (OR = 2.45; 95% CI: 1.90–3.20; P < 0.001). Spousal support significantly bolstered fertility intention (odds ratio [OR] = 1.68), whereas a positive social environment tripled the likelihood of desiring motherhood. Conversely, perceived conflict between motherhood and career aspirations was negatively associated with the desire for children, highlighting the friction between social mobility and reproductive roles. Conclusion: These findings suggest that women's reproductive preferences in this urban Turkish setting are strongly associated with marital stability, spousal support, and career considerations. The results highlight the impact of structural incompatibilities on fertility intentions. Consequently, policymakers should focus on mitigating work-family conflicts through structural reforms. However, given the cross-sectional nature of this study, causal inferences should be made with caution, and future longitudinal research is recommended to validate these trends.