Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5559/di.21.2.04
Motivation for Parenthood and Concern for the Next Generation in Younger and Middle Aged Parents
Ivana TUCAK JUNAKOVIĆ
orcid.org/0000-0003-2166-1089
; University of Zadar, Zadar
Iva AHMETI
; University of Zadar, Zadar
Abstract
The study was conducted with the first aim to examine the
relation of the four categories of motivation for parenthood,
toward Rabin (Rabin, 1965), with generative concern or the
concern for the welfare of the next generation. Parenthood is
the most common, although not the only way of expressing
generativity, for which it was assumed to be one of the
sources of motivation for parenthood. The other aim was to
test gender and age differences in motivation for
parenthood. 225 parents, 20 to 60 years old, participated in
the study. Their reasons for heaving child/children were
assessed using the Motivation for Parenthood Scale, while
generative concern was measured by the adapted Loyola
Generativity Scale. The results have shown that generative
concern correlates significantly, but lowly, with altruistic and
instrumental motivation for parenthood, while correlations of
generative concern with fatalistic and narcissistic motives
were not significant. Women have higher altruistic motivation
than men, while men had higher instrumental motivation
than women. While controlling for number of children,
younger and middle aged parents did not differ significantly
in their assessment of the categories of motivation for
parenthood. However, in interaction with gender, subjects'
age had significant effect on altruistic and instrumental
motivation.
Keywords
motivation for parenthood; generative concern; gender and age differences
Hrčak ID:
84533
URI
Publication date:
1.4.2012.
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