The name is absent

Table 12 expands the analysis of table 11 to include four income groups, rather than two,
using the rather crudely measured grouped income data also adjusted for family
composition using the same equivalence scales as used in official Statistics in the same
period as the data was collected (DWP, 2000-2001). The pattern observed is the familiar
one with the probability of a higher income reaching a plateau at age of motherhood at
31- 33 but displaying the steepest profile in probabilities of the variables considered here.
With more information about high incomes the higher levels of qualification have more
explanatory power. Again, the antecedent and contemporary factors help to explain
variations in income but do not eliminate a significant independent association with age
at motherhood.

Table 13 considers our first measure of mother’s well being that of her life satisfaction.
The survey asked the mother to record ‘satisfaction with your life so far’ on a scale from
1 to 10 where 1 was completely unsatisfied and 10 completely satisfied. For this analysis
we have taken as an indicator those who are satisfied with their life as those recording at
least 7 on this scale. Delaying motherhood to the age of 33 appears to improve life
satisfaction while further delay does not go on adding further improvements. The age
contrasts are however of a smaller order of magnitude than in income, employment or
partnership. Both the antecedent and contemporary factors help to moderate these
effects. However including income helps to explain much of the difference in life
satisfaction, but not all, as those who entered motherhood between 25 and 33 remain
significantly more satisfied with their life than those starting early or late. In addition in
general those who experienced family breakdown or lived in care, and those from the

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