The Federal Centre for Health Education’s (BZgA) representative study Youth Sexuality 9th Iteration is a representative repeat survey. A large-scale survey of young people, their parents and young adults was launched for the ninth time in the summer of 2019. It follows on from predecessor studies conducted between 1980 and 2014. The goal of the study is to acquire reliable data about the attitudes and behaviours of young people in the Federal Republic of Germany with regards to sexuality and contraception.
Having children of their own is still quite a distant idea for the vast majority of the 14- to 25-year-olds surveyed; nevertheless, they tend to feel positive about it, or at least the prospect of it.
This fact sheet will present an overview of the respondents’ desire to have children based on the data from the most recent Youth Sexuality survey.
Results: An Overview
- The desire to have children depends on many factors.
- Children are an integral part of the life plans of 14- to 25-year-olds.
- If it is a yes to children, then two is the preferred number.
- The desire for children takes time – especially for boys and young men.
- Unintended pregnancy: the younger the respondents, the more negative their attitude.