This paper by Lois Bryson and Alison Mackinnon provides a summary of key points to emerge from the research papers presented at the workshop 'Population, gender and reproductive choice: the motherhood questions', held in Adelaide in February 2000.

The paper includes perspectives from a range of disciplines, including demography, economics, history, psychology and sociology. It sets out recommendations for policy on issues such as improving women's family formation choices, valuing children as a 'public good', improving child care arrangements, recognising the needs of carers, promoting education about and access to contraception, and promoting equitable and family-friendly workplaces.