scholarly journals Spatial dimension of the second demographic transition in Serbia

2018 ◽  
pp. 499-514
Author(s):  
Daniela Arsenovic ◽  
Vladimir Nikitovic ◽  
Ivana Magdalenic
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Transition ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Marital Fertility ◽  
Family Formation ◽  
Population Policy ◽  
Spatial Dimension ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Second Demographic Transition ◽  
Demographic Indicators ◽  
History Of

Current research of the second demographic transition (SDT) in Serbia is largely focused on its sociological dimension, particularly on changes related to family formation. On the other hand, understanding the spatial dimension of this process can help in understanding its further expansion, but also its nature outside the countries in which it was originally described, as the history of the first demographic transition showed it. The aim of this paper is to determine whether spatial patterns of recent changes (1991-2011) in fertility indicators in Serbia could have their foundation in SDT. For this purpose, regional differences in the diffusion of demographic innovations, measured by typical demographic indicators of SDT such as total fertility rate, mean age of women at childbirth and proportion of non-marital live births, were examined. Although the findings in terms of the spreading of low fertility and postponement of births may indicate that SDT drivers are at work in Serbia, those related to non-marital fertility suggest that this process may not be so straightforward, thus highlighting the similarity with the manifestation of SDT indicators in European post-socialist societies. It is unquestionable, however, that the transition between traditional and modern in terms of the reproductive regime in Serbia has its clear spatial dimension and its further research would greatly clarify the mechanisms and tempo of future changes and contribute to defining of adequate measures of population policy.

scholarly journals Changes of marital behavior and family patterns in post-socialist countries: Delayed, incomplete or specific second demographic transition?

Stanovnistvo ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mina Petrovic
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Transition ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Social Deprivation ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Second Demographic Transition ◽  
Family Organization ◽  
Family Patterns ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Marital Behavior

The paper starts by questioning the theory of second demographic transition (SDT) and its universal relevance in the field of marriage behavior and family organization in low fertility context, arguing for more differentiated approaches. With an aim to illustrate the contextual specifics of post-socialist countries in general and of Serbia in particular, the author claims that analyzed changes have not just been delayed or incomplete in comparison to more developed European countries, but shaped by specific modernization processes, which led to rationally developed strategies in overcoming structural risks, although, without ideational changes typical to the theory of SDT. Slow changes in marital behavior and family organization in Serbia are illustrated in recent sociological (empirical) research findings. The perceived changes are linked to specific structural risks (war, slow transformation and enduring economic hardships, weak state and low trust in institutions, etc) and value characteristics (persistence of materialism and traditionalism, but with increasing ambivalence). The connection between structural and ideational changes is considered through social stratification variable by relying on Coale's model on necessary preconditions for behavioral changes as well as on social deprivation concept. Having in mind upper social strata (more educated and better off), the value changes precede the behavioral that are adapted to economic uncertainty, which still force more traditional marital and family patterns. Therefore, there is a rank of different options, from extended family (for a short period at the beginning of marriage or after divorce) to separated leaving (of married partners) in parental households (due to refusing the extended family option thus creating quite specific "living apart together" form), combined with dominant strategy of prolonging the marriage. Hence, for upper social strata, marriage is still a universal but negotiable institution since more alternative options (although attractive and in accordance to changing values) are deemed irrational (have no obvious benefit). As regards the lower social strata (less educated and worse off), marriage is more in accordance with their higher inclination to traditional values, but general value liberalization legitimizes possible failures (divorces, extra marital births), which, even if not desired or economically rational, happen due to lower capacity to command life. For that reason, cohabitations and extra marital births are more common among actors at the lower end of the stratification ladder. The paper concludes that adaptive strategies related to traditional patterns of family organization dominate in Serbia, which might be illustrated by the fact that every third of one parent families lives in extended families. Even with significant structural changes (and economic improvements) in Serbia in the near future it is realistic to expect familism as an influential context, which suggests the spreading of cohabitation primarily as a pre- marital option (but more desired than forced).

scholarly journals China’s Population Policy at the Crossroads: Social Impacts and Prospects

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quanbao Jiang ◽  
Quanbao Jiang ◽  
Shuzhuo Li ◽  
Quanbao Jiang ◽  
Shuzhuo Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Population Policy ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Fertility Rate ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Replacement Level ◽  
Counter Measures ◽  
History Of ◽  
Biased Sex Ratio ◽  
Three Stages

Abstract China’s total fertility rate fell below replacement level in the 1990s. From the 1970s the fertility rate declined dramatically, mainly as a consequence of the national population policy whose aim has been to limit birth numbers, control population growth and boost economic growth. Having achieved such a low fertility rate, how will China’s population policy evolve in the future? This paper first reviews the history of China’s population policy since 1970 in three stages: 1970–1979; 1980–1999; and after 2000. We explore the impacts of China’s population policy, including relief of pressure on China’s environment and resources, fertility decline, the unexpectedly high male-biased sex ratio at birth (SRB), the coming shortage of labour force, and the rapid aging of the population, and extinction of racial and cultural diversity. We also investigate ethical issues raised by the implementation of the policy and its results. Finally we introduce the controversy over potential adjustment of the policy, acknowledging the problems faced by western countries with low fertility and the counter-measures they have taken. We offer some suggestions that might be appropriate in the Chinese context.

scholarly journals Second demographic transition de-blocked?

Sociologija ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjana Bobic ◽  
Jelisaveta Vukelic
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Demographic Transition ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Living Standard ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Second Demographic Transition ◽  
Historical Process ◽  
Demographic Indicators ◽  
Complementary Approach ◽  
Demographic Effects

The text is re-examining the previously established dilemma related to whether Serbia (without Kosovo and Metohija) is the country of second demographic transition, i.e.: has the transition been de-blocked, under the assumption that this is a worldwide historical process of transformation of industrialized countries. The last thesis, around which there exists a lot of controversy in the contemporary population theory, is however not dealt with in detail; to the contrary, it is used as the general theoretical framework for the exploration of the most recent tendencies in the transformation of nuptiality and fertility regime in Serbia, as well as in the western and countries in post-socialist transformation. Special attention is given to the ideational changes, more precisely to the specific features of the value profile of the Serbian population, which is one of the most important determinants of the societal framework, that acts in the back of the afore mentioned aggregate demographic indicators. Finally, the hypothesis is posed (which should be further investigated by means of in-depth research and complementary approach) that the speeding-up of the second demographic transition and intensification of the individualisation not only of the partnership but of the parenthood as well, accompanied with the rise of living standard and social support to balancing work and family, would have produced important emancipating and, concomitantly, positive socioeconomic and demographic effects.

scholarly journals “Does Everybody Want the Hollywood Fairytale?” Same-Sex Couples Hinting at the Second Demographic Transition in Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. e202109
Author(s):  
Luísa Cardoso Guedes de Souza ◽  
Paula Miranda-Ribeiro
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Transition ◽  
Family Formation ◽  
Second Demographic Transition ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Gay Couples ◽  
Same Sex Couples ◽  
The Family ◽  
Living Together ◽  
Parenting Intentions

This article examines same-sex couples as a sign of the Second Demographic Transition, investigating how gay and lesbian couples living together in Brasília build their family, whether they intend to have children, and what challenges they face. We conducted semi-structured interviews online to investigate the family formation process and parenting intentions of 42 couples living together in Brasília in 2019, 20 lesbian and 22 gay couples. The organizing themes in the interviews were marriage, children, work, and stigma. This study advances existing scholarship on families by articulating points of connection between the legal institution of same-sex marriage in Brazil, changing social norms regarding family life, and parental gender expectations as signs of the Second Demographic Transition. Studying same-sex couples contribute to a more complex understanding of the family, the gendered division of labor, and the dimension of fertility and parenting intentions.

The Timing of Family Formation in Britain and Spain

2001 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Holdsworth ◽  
Jane Elliott
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Transition ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Family Formation ◽  
Universal Theory ◽  
Second Demographic Transition ◽  
Leaving Home ◽  
The North ◽  
Independent Events ◽  
National Differences ◽  
Cross National

Both fertility and marriage behaviour have changed considerably throughout Western Europe. While fertility has declined across the continent there has been an increase in the age of marriage, accompanied by an increase in cohabitation rates and marriage dissolution. These cross- national trends have been suggested to be indicative of a second demographic transition. Both Beck and Giddens have attempted to locate these changes in family formation within a wider context of social change associated with late modernity. However, in this paper we argue that in trying to provide a universal theory to understand the second demographic transition it is important not to overlook important cross- national differences. Previous comparative research has established that in the South young people tend to marry later, but have children earlier in partnerships. While in the North, marriage and leaving home occur earlier but the link between marriage and childbirth is weaker. In this paper we use data from the British National Child Development Study and the Spanish 1991 Sociodemographic Survey in order to compare the processes of family formation in Britain and Spain. The emphasis is on understanding the sequencing and timing of a) leaving home, b) forming a partnership, and c) giving birth to a first child in relation to each other rather than as independent events.

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