This study aims to examine whether women’s aspiration for advancing education and having a
career after marriage, are associated with their fertility intention. This is based on the first phase
of the Tehran Single Child Intention Study (TSCIS) conducted in July and August 2012 , in a
representative sample of men and women attended premarital compulsory courses in Tehran
(448 women were considered here). Nearly, 40% reported educational aspiration and 73.8%
reported career aspiration after marriage. Multivariate analysis indicated that currently employed
women who intended to work after marriage had a significantly lower fertility intension,
compared to women having no intention to work after marriage irrespective to their current
employment status (Beta coefficient=0.17, P<0.001), adjusting for age and education. Policy
implications: The government should provide flexible and part-time careers for women to help
them to fulfill their preferred number of children (i.e., two children), while being active
economically.