SP 2 Human Reproduction in Societies and Markets

The Project encompasses sociological, psychological and economic quantitative research on human reproduction and addresses the following key questions:

• How do reproductive decisions, individual biographies, societies, and labor markets interrelate?
• What are the consequences of new fertility treatments for women, parents, children, families, economies, and ethical and social norms?

The sub-project unites competencies in sociology, psychology, economics, and medicine. Its main empirical base will be a panel study in relevant groups hosted at the Data Centre; this combines standardized questions, vignette and survey experiments, biomarkers, and behavioral measures by using quasiexperiments.

Sociological research frames the big picture and will examine reproductive decisions about new fertility treatments and their consequences for individuals, families, and society in general.

Psychobiological research addresses the consequences of established and innovative fertility treatments for parents and their children. We will longitudinally investigate technologically assisted forms of reproduction such as (1) IVF and ICSI, and (2) social egg freezing (SEF).

Socioeconomic research will ask how the reproductive decisions of men and women are intertwined with local labor market opportunities. The relationship between fertility and labor supply has been intensely debated in various contexts. We will leverage recent advances in the genetic architecture of fertility and gender-specific shocks to education and labor market opportunities to understand how the trade-off between career and family is shaped by increasing inequality, income uncertainty, greater female representation in higher education, and the varying prices of fertility treatments. 

Understanding Gendered Preferences for Work and Leadership
(by Lea Jordan & Benita Combet)

This research project examines gender differences in job preferences, focusing on leadership roles. While women often prioritize part-time work and flexibility, men are more likely to seek roles with high career advancement opportunities. Using a choice experiment with university students in Switzerland, the study explores how factors such as fertility intentions, gender norms, and workplace expectations shape these preferences.

Reproductive Decisions, Study Choice, and Leaky Pipeline (by Prof. Dr. Margit Osterloh, Prof. Dr. Katja Rost & Annina Mösching)
The research project explores the relation of reproductive decisions, study choice, and the Leaky Pipeline at Swiss universities. The term Leaky Pipeline characterizes the continuous decline in the proportion of women when climbing up the career ladder. The aim of this research project is to analyze the impact of anticipated parenthood on the field of study and on the pursuit of an (academic) career. 

How to explain the shorter length of stay of women in top positions compared to men? (by Beyza Bani, Maria Augstburger & Prof. Dr. Margit Osterloh) 
During the last decades, the formal education of women has reached a higher level than those of men. Nevertheless, their professional career is characterized by a highly pronounced Leaky Pipeline, that is, fewer leadership positions and shorter lengths of stay in these positions. For example, in the 100 largest companies in Switzerland, men stay in their leading position for an average of 7 years, but women for only 3 years (Schillingreport 2023).