Abstract

PAZ–GOMEZ, Leonor. Desired family size; an analysis on the fertility ideals in Colombia and Mexico. Pap. poblac [online]. 2010, vol.16, n.65, pp. 105-130. ISSN 1405-7425.

With information from a series of surveys we analyze the evolution of the ideal family size in México and Colombia. In both countries a generational change takes place to the extent that young women want fewer children. In México women in a marital union state a reproductive ideal close to three children or even superior, which reflects on the average of 3.3 children; whereas in Colombia women approach two children as the ideal number. In this article we present for the first time in the literature an indicator called 'ideal probabilities of family growth".

Keywords : fertility ideals; surveys; birthrate; México; Colombia.