Title: A sequence of events in fertility and family formation?

POPLINE Document Number: 076875

Author(s):

Santow G

Source citation:

In: International Population Conference/Congres International de la Population, New Delhi, September/septembre 20-27, 1989. Vol. 3. Liege, Belgium, International Union for the Scientific Study of Population, 1989. :217-29.

Abstract:

This paper investigates whether industrialized countries arrived at their current low fertility and nuptiality levels through essentially the same route. Each country has followed the same sequence of demographic events, although from different starting points, at different speeds, and with occasional false starts and reversals. Fertility fell 1st, most notably marital fertility. Marriage rates fell later, but after divorce rates had begun to rise. Cohabiting unions are a recent development in some western countries. The choice of a time-frame is critical to an appreciation of the sequence of events through which each country has passed. 1 link in the long chain of cause and effect is female labor force participation. The proportion of women employed outside the home has been growing since before the turn of the century. Employment outside the home is incompatible with the rearing of large numbers of children within it, and for much of the earlier period fertility was indeed steadily falling. The strong fertility decline was facilitated, but not produced, by the introduction of the pill, particularly in North America and Australasia, but the precise contraceptive strategy differed from country to country. Economic independence and sexual activity free from the fear of pregnancy led to delayed marriage, and probably also contributed to a loss of patience with bad existing marriages. Demographically, this was reflected in falling marriage rates and rising divorce rates. In some countries informal unions seem to have taken over the functions of marriage; in others they are primarily preludes to marriage. Cohabitation is not common in all countries; it is more common where divorce rates are high. An appreciation of non-demographic movements, such as in female labor force participation, helps to clarify the links between behavioral change and normative change.

Keywords:

Developed Countries
Fertility Changes
Demographic Transition
Marriage Patterns
Divorce
Consensual Union
Contraceptive Usage
Employment Status
Changes
Women
Fertility
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
Marriage
Nuptiality
Contraception
Family Planning
Socioeconomic Status
Socioeconomic Factors
Economic Factors
Social Change