Alice in Wonderland: Unrealized fertility and satisfaction with number of children according to couples’ point of view in a city in Brazil

Abstract The gap between ideal and observed fertility is a very common phenomenon in Brazil. However, given the severe criticism of indicators on desired and ideal family sizes, it is important to reflect on how well fertility preferences are grasped by traditional questions. This paper discusses whether having fewer children than desired is a matter of choice or if it represents an inability to implement reproductive preferences, generating dissatisfaction with one´s fertility behavior. Data come from 62 in-depth interviews conducted with 31 couples with high educational levels, living in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, with up to two children. Negative discrepant fertility was predominant among most couples interviewed. Many of them, however, are fully satisfied with their current fertility situation and do not seem to be willing to implement their desire for more children.