Life course decisions in Central and Eastern Europe: A gendered connection between family formation and moving intentions?

Abstract

Objective: This paper investigates the association between family formation intentions of marriage and childbearing in connection to moving intentions in early life course in Central and Eastern Europe. Background: While connections between intentions in Western Europe has received some scholarly attention, the link between marriage, having children and moving intentions has been largely overlooked in Central and Eastern Europe. We look at the connection between these intentions in the region. Method: We hypothesise that intentions to marry, have children and move may be positively related, negatively related or not related at all; and that gender serves as a channel through which the connection between family formation intentions and intention to move is expressed. In order to verify the hypotheses, we use Generations and Gender Survey data round 1 wave 1 focusing on the analytical sample based on individuals between 17 and 49 year olds from 5 Central and Eastern European countries. We run seemingly unrelated bivariate ordered probit regressions to estimate the relationship between the intentions. Results: We find a positive association between family formation intentions and intention to move. However, there is no evidence suggesting this association is channelled through gender. Conclusion: There exists an indication that intentions of marriage, childbearing and moving are joint.