Delayed childbearing applies not only to women but also to men. During recent decades, the average age of parents when their first child is born has increased in European countries, and in 2010 it was 31 years for Swedish men and 29 years for women (Fig. 1). Longer educational periods, establishment in the labour market, unstable financial situation and a wish to maintain an independent life are some of the explanations why young couples delay starting a family