TY  - JOUR
A1  - Tan, Jolene
T1  - Heterogeneity among the never married in a low-fertility context
Y1  - 2022/11/18
JF  - Demographic Research
JO  - Demographic Research
SN  - 1435-9871
SP  - 727
EP  - 776
DO  - 10.4054/DemRes.2022.47.24
VL  - 47
IS  - 24
UR  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol47/24/
L1  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol47/24/47-24.pdf
L2  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol47/24/47-24.pdf
N2  - Background: While there has been extensive research on trends in marriage and singlehood, few studies have examined heterogeneity among never-married individuals in a low-fertility context. As a country that has experienced a steady decline in marriage and an accompanying rise in singlehood, Singapore presents a compelling context in which to study the singlehood phenomenon. 

Objective: This study aims to understand variations in the never-married population based on their family-related attitudes. It seeks to classify the never married into subgroups and examine how these groups relate in terms of their sociodemographic traits and marriage desires. 

Methods: Using data from the Perceptions of Singles on Marriage and Having Children study (N = 1,980), latent class analysis was performed to develop a typology of the never married.
Latent class analysis applies a person-centered approach to identify heterogeneity between and homogeneity within subgroups based on associations among a set of observed indicators. 

Results: Four never-married subgroups were identified: family conservatives (37%), conflicted conservatives (24%), family progressives (22%), and family skeptics (17%). There were distinct characteristics among subgroups in terms of age, sex, and relationship status. A strong gradient in marriage desires was found across the never-married subgroups, implying that variations between subgroups are an important determinant of the desire to marry. 

Conclusions: The paper highlights the importance of recognizing diversity among the never-married population as a first step to understanding the flight from marriage. 

Contribution: These findings have implications for societies with declining marriage and fertility rates, especially in contexts where marriage is closely linked to childbearing. 

ER  -