Young Adults’ Subjective Class Identification and Child Planning: Focusing on Gender Differences in Perceived Justice and Trust

Abstract

This study examined gender differences in child planning. We hypothesized young adults' subjective class perceptions, as well as their perceptions of fairness and trust, would influence their child planning. We also tested the moderating effects of fairness and trust perceptions by gender. The results showed that female young adults were less likely to have planned for children than their male counterparts. They also reported lower levels of perceived social fairness and trust. No gender differences were found in subjective class perceptions. For both men and women, the absence of child planning was associated with lower perceptions of subjective class, social fairness, and trust. A key finding was that the moderating effect of fairness and trust perceptions on the effect of subjective class perceptions on child planning was significant only for female young adults. Also, the direct effect of fairness and trust on child planning remained significant only for female young adults, confirming that perceptions of fairness and trust in society are important factors in child planning, especially among young female adults. This study confirms that subjective perceptions of class, fairness, and trust are key factors in young adults' child planning, suggesting the need for gender-sensitive policies and awareness raising efforts.