Italy’s path to very low fertility: the adequacy of economic and second demographic transition theories

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
David K. Kertzer ◽  
Michael White ◽  
Laura Bernardi ◽  
Giuseppe Gabrielli
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Transition ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Second Demographic Transition

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 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 Italy’s Path to Very Low Fertility: The Adequacy of Economic and Second Demographic Transition Theories

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
David I. Kertzer ◽  
Michael J. White ◽  
Laura Bernardi ◽  
Giuseppe Gabrielli
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Transition ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Second Demographic Transition

Conclusion and Outlook

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Cervellati ◽  
Uwe Sunde
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Demographic Transition ◽  
Turning Point ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Interdisciplinary Work ◽  
Space And Time ◽  
Long Run ◽  
The Many

This concluding chapter discusses this book's origins in the argument that the demographic transition is a key turning point for long-run development, not only in terms of a change in the regime of population dynamics toward low fertility and mortality, but also in the process of long-run economic development. The observed similarities in the transition process across space and time suggest that a better understanding of the reasons for such occurrences as the delay in the development of some countries might provide insights that are relevant beyond academic interest. The chapter argues that more interdisciplinary work between economists, demographers, and historians are needed to address the many facets that are covered only in passing, or not at all.

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