Content and Objectives

In recent years numerous studies have been written about fertility among female immigrants with a wide variety of data sources and objectives. In Germany, they frequently focussed on regions of origin that exhibit far higher fertility levels but which are also the largest groups of immigrants in Germany. Turkey is one example of this.

Theoretically, questions about the fertility of female immigrants can be discussed at multiple levels. For example, we can ask about the influence of the migration process as an element in the biography of a woman, which can, depending on the point in time, have a negative effect on fertility. Migration can lead to delays in having children, depending not only on the age at the time of immigration, but also on the reasons for the migration. Another level is that of the adaptation of fertility behaviours to those of the women in the host country. The chief question here is whether fertility patterns follow those of the country of origin, the host country, the specific patterns of the immigrant population in the host country or a new, perhaps hybrid form.

The objective of this project is to determine the fertility of Turkish women who live in Germany and to find reasons for the differences which may occur in comparison to German women or women who are of another background. In addition, associated aspects like the couple relationship and the care situation in the family are analysed comparatively as they can be seen as important factors for fertility decisions. This way, new insights can be gained, not only in terms of fertility in this big group of migrants in Germany but with regard to family-related aspects like attitudes towards family as well.