The influence of personal networks on decision making about family formation: Has it changed?

Abstract

The aim of the chapter is to explore current influences of personal networks on individuals’ decisions in family formation. The analysis of the representative quantitative data collected in 2011–2012 Lithuania, at first sight show the importance of individual desires in decision–making on choice of family pattern. However, in case of marriage registration, four factors of personal networks’ influence were identified: oriented toward personal networks, oriented toward utility, desired to create a family, and by own (for women) or partner’s (for men) pregnancy. In the case of unregistered marriage, four other factors were extracted: oriented toward personal networks, neglect personal networks’ influences, oriented toward personal utility, and by own or partner’s pregnancy.