First child – News, Research and Analysis – The Conversation

Articles on First child

January 1, 2025

How having a baby makes it more likely Australian couples rely on the man’s income

Francisco Perales, The University of Queensland; Janeen Baxter, The University of Queensland, and Ruth Steinbring, The University of Queensland

New research reveals the impact parenthood has on traditional earning roles.

July 9, 2021

Andrew Shelling, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

The real message is how old you are when you first have sex and have your first child is controlled by a little bit of nature and a lot of nurture.

December 16, 2018

Leah Ruppanner, The University of Melbourne; Francisco Perales, The University of Queensland, and Janeen Baxter, The University of Queensland

Many parents decide to have a second child in the expectation that two can’t be more work that one – but new research shows that idea to be mistaken.

Francisco Perales
Adjunct Professor, School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University
Janeen Baxter
Professor of Sociology, Director of Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course, The University of Queensland
Leah Ruppanner
Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of The Future of Work Lab, Podcast at MissPerceived, The University of Melbourne
Jenny Graves
Jenny Graves is a Friend of The Conversation.

Distinguished Professor of Genetics and Vice Chancellor's Fellow, La Trobe University
Andrew Shelling
Professor and Associate Dean (Research), University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Ruth Steinbring
Social researcher, The University of Queensland