From Profiles to Parenthood: Relationship Origins and Fertility Intentions in the Digital Age

Saverio Minardi, University of Bologna
Chiara Ludovica Comolli , University of Bologna
Natalie Nitsche, Australian National University

The internet has revolutionised dating and union formation in the 21st century, with many couples now meeting online. Research shows that these relationships are often less satisfying, less stable, and marked by greater uncertainty, yet little is known about whether fertility intentions also differ between online and offline couples. This question is especially relevant in the context of declining fertility rates and the growing prominence of online dating as a couple-formation setting. Using data from the Generations and Gender Survey, round II (GGS-II), we examine differences in fertility intentions and relationship characteristics among childless couples who met online compared to those who met in offline settings. Preliminary results confirm that individuals in online-formed couples report lower relationship satisfaction and higher relationship uncertainty but nevertheless show higher short-term fertility intentions. However, we find no relationship between online couple formation and long-term fertility intentions of personal ideal number of children. The positive association between online couple formation and three-year fertility intentions is most pronounced among older females and younger males.

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 Presented in Session 105. Fertility and Digital Technologies