The paper analyses the results of a research conducted in a Naples’ district, focusing in particular on links between work flexibility, couple life and reproductive choices. An insight is given on family plans, variables of unstable work and problems faced by young couples on the matter of becoming parents, distinguishing between «partially flexible», «totally flexible» and «one-income» couples. A well-constructed framework emerges whereby couples have difficulty planning and organising the «spill over» between work and parenting and where female work flexibility seems to hinder, rather than favour, the couple’s reproductive choice.only subscribers can see the full article