Women’s decision whether and when to have a child is closely connected with how the conception and society’s perception of motherhood have evolved throughout history. Nowadays, many women do not see their maternal role as a priority – they find other personal plans and goals more important. Analysing interviews with young mothers, I aimed to identify the contributing factors of why young women in Škofja Loka decide to have a child earlier in life, what significance these women attach to motherhood, and in what aspects this significance differs from that reflected by the trend of late motherhood. Young mothers see motherhood through the mother-child relationship. They believe that the roles of father and mother in relation to the child vary, which still relates to biological determinism. For them, motherhood is an important and responsible role they have assumed in life as women, and no one can take that away from them. None of these young mothers, except one, planned their pregnancy. The deciding factor for keeping a child and assuming the maternal role is a faithful partner. Unlike women who postpone their maternal role until later in life, either because they do not see it as most important in their life, or due to circumstances, such as labour market requirements, young mothers find joy and contentment in motherhood.
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