Preference theory and low fertility: a comparative perspective
Preference theory and low fertility: a comparative perspective
The discussion on the causes of the most recent fertility decline in Europe, and in particular on the emergence of lowest-low fertility, emphasizes the relevance of cultural factors in addition to economic ones. As part of such a cultural framework, the heterogeneity of preferences concerning the “career vs. family” dichotomy has been systematized in the “Preference Theory” approach developed by Catherine Hakim. This heterogeneity in preferences, however, has so far been underinvestigated in a comparative framework. This paper makes use of comparative data from the 2004/2005 Round of the European Social Survey to test the links between individual-level preferences and both fertility outcomes and fertility intentions, in a variety of societal settings. Results confirm an association between work–family lifestyle preferences and realized fertility in a variety of European countries, while they do not show a relationship between lifestyle preferences and fertility intentions. Results further support the existence of heterogeneous patterns of association between lifestyle preferences and fertility choices among welfare regimes.
413-438
Vitali, Agnese
56acb6b8-5161-4106-9e73-20712840d675
Billari, Francesco
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Prskawetz, Alexia
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Testa, Maria Rita
8de7aa90-2f96-4291-a406-0d795a410479
November 2009
Vitali, Agnese
56acb6b8-5161-4106-9e73-20712840d675
Billari, Francesco
6d720d80-0134-46bf-857f-685c09e9b005
Prskawetz, Alexia
702d703c-0381-4dbe-b64e-4d3319b08ade
Testa, Maria Rita
8de7aa90-2f96-4291-a406-0d795a410479
Vitali, Agnese, Billari, Francesco, Prskawetz, Alexia and Testa, Maria Rita
(2009)
Preference theory and low fertility: a comparative perspective.
European Journal of Population, 25 (4), .
(doi:10.1007/s10680-009-9178-x).
Abstract
The discussion on the causes of the most recent fertility decline in Europe, and in particular on the emergence of lowest-low fertility, emphasizes the relevance of cultural factors in addition to economic ones. As part of such a cultural framework, the heterogeneity of preferences concerning the “career vs. family” dichotomy has been systematized in the “Preference Theory” approach developed by Catherine Hakim. This heterogeneity in preferences, however, has so far been underinvestigated in a comparative framework. This paper makes use of comparative data from the 2004/2005 Round of the European Social Survey to test the links between individual-level preferences and both fertility outcomes and fertility intentions, in a variety of societal settings. Results confirm an association between work–family lifestyle preferences and realized fertility in a variety of European countries, while they do not show a relationship between lifestyle preferences and fertility intentions. Results further support the existence of heterogeneous patterns of association between lifestyle preferences and fertility choices among welfare regimes.
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Published date: November 2009
Organisations:
Social Statistics & Demography
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Local EPrints ID: 358770
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/358770
ISSN: 0168-6577
PURE UUID: 7653e5ee-6809-4ce6-9423-bf0908899880
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Date deposited: 14 Oct 2013 12:48
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 15:07
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Author:
Agnese Vitali
Author:
Francesco Billari
Author:
Alexia Prskawetz
Author:
Maria Rita Testa
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