Challenges for Exercising Paternity-Maternity: The Case of the Mexico City Metropolitan Area

Abstract

Forming a family in a contemporary urban city poses new challenges. This work aims to understand some characteristics of how this reproduction process takes place to thus raise awareness among families and institutions in choosing strategies that permit an effective replacement of the total social fact to ensure greater well-being. The aim is to prevent the determining factors that have contributed to postponing the onset of paternity/maternity in the most developed countries and a considerable decline in fertility from hampering the generational replacement. A questionnaire was administered to 476 adults in the zmcm (Mexico City Metropolitan Area). The results show at- titudes and values that do not always coincide with those accepted in developed countries, because although the respondents gave having a job the utmost importance in the decision to have kids, it turned out they consider it unnecessary to finish studying, having their own home, having enough money, and not affecting their careers. This article also proposes actions to support the start of procreation among young couples.