Volume 15 - Article 16 | Pages 461–484  

Anticipatory analysis and its alternatives in life-course research: Part 1: Education and first childbearing

By Jan M. Hoem, Michaela Kreyenfeld

Abstract

Procedures that seek to explain current behavior by future outcomes (anticipatory analysis) constitute a widespread but problematic approach in life-course analysis because they disturb the role of time and the temporal order of events. Nevertheless the practice is often used, not least because it easily produces useful summary measures like the median age at first childbearing and the per cent permanently childless in various educational groups, defined by ultimate attainment. We use an empirical example to demonstrate the issues involved and to propose an alternative "non-anticipatory" research strategy, which, however, does not equally easily provide summary measures.

Author's Affiliation

• Jan M. Hoem - Stockholms Universitet, Sweden EMAIL
• Michaela Kreyenfeld - Hertie School of Governance, Germany EMAIL

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Similar article in Demographic Research

Anticipatory analysis and its alternatives in life-course research: Part 2: Marriage and first birth
Volume 15 - Article 17    | Keywords: anticipatory analysis, intentionality, marriage and first childbearing