Volume 47 - Article 24 | Pages 727–776
Heterogeneity among the never married in a low-fertility context
Date received: | 24 Mar 2022 |
Date published: | 18 Nov 2022 |
Word count: | 8690 |
Keywords: | latent class analysis, low fertility, marriage, Singapore, singlehood |
DOI: | 10.4054/DemRes.2022.47.24 |
Abstract
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.
Author's Affiliation
Jolene Tan - Australian National University, Australia
Most recent similar articles in Demographic Research
»
Marriage intentions, desires, and pathways to later and less marriage in Japan
Volume 44 - Article 3 | Keywords: marriage, singlehood
»
Demographic change and increasing late singlehood in East Asia, 2010–2050
Volume 43 - Article 46 | Keywords: marriage, singlehood
»
A register-based account of period trends in union prevalence, entries, and exits by educational level for men and women in Finland
Volume 48 - Article 14 | Keywords: marriage
»
Changing mind, changing plans? Instability of individual gender attitudes and postponement of marriage in Germany
Volume 47 - Article 25 | Keywords: marriage
»
The association between childlessness and voting turnout in 38 countries
Volume 47 - Article 14 | Keywords: low fertility
Articles
Citations
Cited References: 121
»View the references of this article
Download to Citation Manager
Similar Articles
PubMed
Google Scholar