The study focuses on couples’ first intentional attempt to conceive and examines how its course is related to the later development of their relationship. Particular attention is paid to whether conception was successful and how long the attempts lasted. The research is based on Czech data covering more than 1,600 respondents.
The analyses show that unsuccessful conception attempts as well as prolonged efforts to become pregnant are associated with a higher risk of relationship dissolution. While couples who successfully conceived generally maintain higher levels of partnership stability over time, couples who tried to conceive for more than two years face a substantially increased risk of separation or divorce.
The findings suggest that fertility difficulties can represent a significant psychological and relational burden for partners. Rather than strengthening mutual commitment, prolonged reproductive challenges may contribute to stress and tensions within the relationship, ultimately increasing the risk of partnership breakdown. The research highlights the importance of support for couples facing difficulties in their efforts to conceive.
Darina Kmentová is affiliated with the Department of Sociology at the Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University. The research was conducted within the project “Alone for Everything? Opportunities and Risks of the Individualisation of Society (PRINS)”, which is co-financed by the European Union. The study draws on data from the Czech Generations and Gender Survey (GGS-CZ), conducted under the project Contemporary Czech Family.
Why do protests take different forms in France and Czechia? In the Czech Television podcast Za horizont, Jiří Navrátil from the Department of Sociology at FSS MU discusses recent protests in France, the role of trade unions, and broader sources of social discontent. He also explains how historical and institutional contexts shape protest cultures across countries.
The podcast is available in Czech.
