Volume 7 - Article 6 | Pages 307–342  

Childbirth in East and West German Stepfamilies: Estimated probabilities from hazard rate models

By Ursula Henz

Abstract

The present paper studies fertility rates in partnerships with and without children from previous partners in East and West Germany. Data from the German "Fertility and Family Survey" is used to estimate piecewise-linear hazard rate models for having another child.
It turns out that a proportional-hazard model would give incorrect results because childbirth follows different time patterns for couples who have already a shared child and couples who do not. Therefore, a model with specific clocks for various experiences of parenthood is specified. Based on these model estimations the probability for having another child within a certain time is calculated. In West Germany the estimated likelihood of having another child within six years varies little by child composition.
In contrast, East-German couples with no shared child have a higher likelihood than couples with a shared child to have a child within six years.

Author's Affiliation

• Ursula Henz - London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom EMAIL

Other articles by the same author/authors in Demographic Research

Fathers' involvement with their children in the United Kingdom: Recent trends and class differences
Volume 40 - Article 30

Long-term trends of men’s co-residence with children in England and Wales
Volume 30 - Article 23

Gender roles and values of children: Childless Couples in East and West Germany
Volume 19 - Article 39

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