ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the life histories of a sample of temporary registered migrants in Beijing. It explains the relationship between fertility and migration. Information was collected in Beijing in 1994 using a questionnaire survey, referred to below as the 1994 Migrant Survey. The chapter examines birth intervals in relation to migration experiences. Selection effects have been identified for short term migrants whose goal orientated nature pre-determined a lower level of fertility if they had not migrated. The post migration socialization model suggests that it may take up to several generations before the fertility levels of migrants and their descendants will match those of urban residents. Adaptation involves behavioural adjustments to the urban environment within the span of an individual's fertility history, having controlled for the effects of selection and disruption. Low rates of marital intercourse were encouraged in traditional China to preserve male health, which, together with spousal separation after marriage, kept marriage to first birth intervals long.
