If I Could Turn Back Time: Motherhood Regret and Fertility Intentions in Italy

Francesca Tosi , University of Bologna
Livia Elisa Ortensi, University of Bologna
Elena Vettoretto, University of Padova
Alessandra Minello, University of Padova

Parenthood is often idealized as a natural and fulfilling stage of life. Yet, regret reveals a gap between cultural expectations and lived realities. Qualitative studies show that parental regret may stem from excessive sacrifices or loss of identity, but quantitative evidence remains scarce, particularly concerning how regret shapes fertility choices. This study examines the relationship between motherhood regret and fertility intentions in Italy, a context where strong pronatalist norms and the “myth of motherhood” associated with traditional gender role beliefs may amplify these dynamics. Using data from the FORTIES project (2024), based on a web survey of 3,200 mothers aged 20–45, we analyse intentions to have a further child over the next three years on a 1–10 scale. OLS estimates reveal a significant negative association between regret and fertility intentions, stronger among younger mothers. Interacting regret with gender role attitudes shows that the negative association with fertility intentions is stronger among egalitarian women, while traditional women maintain high fertility intentions despite even when reporting medium-high levels of regret.

See extended abstract

 Presented in Session P3. Families, Fertility, and the Life Course 3