Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dk4vv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T18:09:06.402Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Non-Marital Pregnancies and ex-nuptial births in New Zealand

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

A. D. Trlin  and
L. T. Ruzicka
A. D. Trlin
Affiliation:
Department of Demography, Australian National University, Canberra
L. T. Ruzicka
Affiliation:
Department of Demography, Australian National University, Canberra
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

An investigation of the incidence and pattern of non-marital pregnancies in New Zealand, and their outcome as nuptial or ex-nuptial births, has revealed four major features. The post-war period has been marked by a steady increase in the incidence of non-marital pregnancies, especially since the early 1960s (following the inclusion of Maori vital events). Pre-marital or bridal pregnancies increased during the 1950s, but have steadily declined at all ages between 16 and 23 years during the 1960s and early 1970s. Nuptial fertility rates for women aged 35 years and over have declined continuously since 1945, and since the early 1960s the decline has commenced for women at younger ages as well. Ex-nuptial fertility rates have been increasing throughout the post-war period and particularly since the early 1960s.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 9 , Issue 2 , April 1977 , pp. 163 - 174
Copyright
Copyright © 1977, Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Borrie, W.D. (1973) Recent and potential demographic dynamics of Australasia. In: Contemporary New Zealand. Edited by Thomson, K.W. and Trlin, A.D.Hicks Smith, Wellington.Google Scholar
Cameron, B.J. (1969) The twilight of illegitimacy; some implications of the Status of Children Act. N.Z. Law. J. 20, 621.Google Scholar
Christensen, H.T. (1960) Cultural relativism and pre-marital sex norms. Am. sociol. Rev. 25, 31.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Claridge, R.H. & Henshaw, H.R. (1975) Solo mothers after delivery at Christchurch. N.Z. med. J. 82, 82.Google ScholarPubMed
Department of Health (1975) Contraception and Sterilisation. Submission to Royal Commission on Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion. (Mimeo) Department of Health, Wellington.Google Scholar
Department of Social Welfare (1975) Trends in Illegitimacy, Adoption and Related Matters. Submission to Royal Commission on Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion. (Mimeo) Department of Social Welfare, Wellington.Google Scholar
Department of Statistics (1967) Ex-nuptial Births: Demographic Influences on the Statistics. Monthly Abstract of Statistics Supplement (01 1967). Government Printer, Wellington.Google Scholar
Jain, S.K. (1973) Source Book of Population Data: New Zealand, Non-Maori Population 1921–1967. Australian National University, Canberra.Google Scholar
Jensen, J. (1969) Illegitimacy: Some Notes on the Increase in Illegitimacy over Recent Years and Some Speculations on What has Caused it. (Mimeo) Joint Committee on Young Offenders, Joint Committee Research Unit, Wellington.Google Scholar
Missen, E.A. (1969) Intersepartmental Report on Ex-Nuptial Births. (Mimeo) Interdepartmental Committee on Ex-Nuptial Births, Department of Justice, Wellington.Google Scholar
Page, R., Werry, J.S. & Hunton, R. (1975) Sexual activity and contraception use in young adults. N.Z. med. J. 82, 261.Google ScholarPubMed
Prioux-Marchal, F. (1974) Le marriage en Suede. Population, 29, 825.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rogers, A.F.C., Lenthall, J.F. (1975) Characteristics of New Zealand women seeking abortion in Melbourne, Australia. N.Z. med. J. 81, 282.Google ScholarPubMed
Ruzicka, L.T. (1975a) Age at Marriage and Timing of the First Birth. (Mimeo) Department of Demography, Australian National University, Canberra.Google Scholar
Ruzicka, L.T. (1975b) Non-marital pregnancies in Australia since 1947. J. biosoc. Sci. 7, 113.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Simpson, D.W. (1971) Pregnancy among the unmarried in New Zealand. N.Z. med. J. 73, 1.Google ScholarPubMed
Sparrow, M.J. (1975) A Study of Sex Information and Attitudes in Young People. Mimeo report, complied for the Wellington Research Group of The New Zealand College of General Practitioners, Wellington.Google Scholar
Trlin, A.D. (1975) Abortion in New Zealand: a review. Aust. J. soc. Iss. 10, 179.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vosburgh, M.G. (1973) Changing marriage patterns in New Zealand. In: New Zealand Society: Contemporary Perspectives. Edited by Webb, S.D. and Collette, J.Wiley, Sydney.Google Scholar
Werry, J.S., Person, A.S., Taylor, C.M. & Bonham, D.G. (1974). Ex-nuptial conception in New Zealand. N.Z. med. J. 79, 853.Google Scholar