Should governments in Europe be more aggressive in pushing for gender equality to
raise fertility? : the first "YES"
Autor/in:
Toulemon, Laurent
Quelle: Demographic Research, Vol. 24 (2011) , S. 179-200
Inhalt: "Together with three colleagues, the author has been asked by the MPIDR to debate
the following question: 'Should governments in Europe be more aggressive in pushing
for gender equality to raise fertility?' Setting aside the 'lighthearted' side of
this 'Rostocker Debate', (12 minutes for each speech, one minute for each comment),
the author saws this as a good opportunity to think about the stakes behind the question.
In order to address this complex issue, it is necessary to think about the many 'preliminary
questions' that we have to ponder before responding: Why should fertility be raised?
Are political measures legitimate? Are they efficient? On what basis are we qualified
to give 'expert' opinions on such a topic? When the question comes to the fore, we
as scholars are sometimes asked to provide an answer. It would, of course, be more
comfortable not to answer, but our interlocutors (politicians, journalists, teachers,
and also funding agencies) often want a definite response one way or the other. Even
though our position may be a matter of politics as well as a matter of science, we
must give an answer. The empirical evidence shows that European countries where gender
inequality is lower are also the countries where fertility is the highest. This is
the evidence-based response that we can give to that question. European countries
need to find a new equilibrium after the end of the baby boom period, when gender
equality was very low. In all countries, the empowerment of women is underway, thanks
to the economic independence given by work-related income. Increasing gender equality
is an efficient way to reduce the opportunity costs of having and raising children,
and thus to increase fertility. Finally, 'pushing for gender equality' may have many
positive effects other than raising fertility, and has few negative side effects.
Gender equality is thus a convenient political aim per se; an institutional goal which
leaves many political questions open. So, yes, we agree that governments in Europe
should be more aggressive in pushing for gender equality to raise fertility!" (author's
abstract)|
Should governments in Europe be more aggressive in pushing for gender equality to
raise fertility? : the second "YES"
Autor/in:
Oláh, Livia Sz.
Quelle: Demographic Research, Vol. 24 (2011) , S. 217-224
Inhalt: "This paper is based on the authoress's contribution to a debate, organized by MPIDR,
on the question displayed in the title above. She was asked to present arguments for
the 'yes'-response (together with Laurent Toulemon, and arguing against the 'no'-side
represented by Gerda Neyer and Dimiter Philipov). As pointed out in the paper, the
most important theoretical reasoning relevant for this question is the gender equity
theory. A number of studies provide sound empirical support to it, as discussed in
the paper in details, and thereby also a rationale for a positive impact of increased
gender equality on fertility. As the dual-earner family is here to stay, and given
the well-known negative consequences of long-term very low fertility for a society,
pushing for gender equality seems to be a reasonable strategy to be considered aiming
for sustainable societal development." (author's abstract)|
Should governments in Europe be more aggressive in pushing for gender equality to raise fertility? : the first "YES"
Titelübersetzung:Sollen die Regierungen in Europa mehr für die Gleichstellung der Geschlechter tun, um die Fruchtbarkeit zu erhöhen? : die Antwort ist "ja"
Autor/in:
Toulemon, Laurent
Quelle: Demographic Research, Vol. 24 (2011) , S. 179-200
Inhalt: "Together with three colleagues, the author has been asked by the MPIDR to debate the following question: 'Should governments in Europe be more aggressive in pushing for gender equality to raise fertility?' Setting aside the 'lighthearted' side of this 'Rostocker Debate', (12 minutes for each speech, one minute for each comment), the author saws this as a good opportunity to think about the stakes behind the question. In order to address this complex issue, it is necessary to think about the many 'preliminary questions' that we have to ponder before responding: Why should fertility be raised? Are political measures legitimate? Are they efficient? On what basis are we qualified to give 'expert' opinions on such a topic? When the question comes to the fore, we as scholars are sometimes asked to provide an answer. It would, of course, be more comfortable not to answer, but our interlocutors (politicians, journalists, teachers, and also funding agencies) often want a definite response one way or the other. Even though our position may be a matter of politics as well as a matter of science, we must give an answer. The empirical evidence shows that European countries where gender inequality is lower are also the countries where fertility is the highest. This is the evidence-based response that we can give to that question. European countries need to find a new equilibrium after the end of the baby boom period, when gender equality was very low. In all countries, the empowerment of women is underway, thanks to the economic independence given by work-related income. Increasing gender equality is an efficient way to reduce the opportunity costs of having and raising children, and thus to increase fertility. Finally, 'pushing for gender equality' may have many positive effects other than raising fertility, and has few negative side effects. Gender equality is thus a convenient political aim per se; an institutional goal which leaves many political questions open. So, yes, we agree that governments in Europe should be more aggressive in pushing for gender equality to raise fertility!" (author's abstract)
Should governments in Europe be more aggressive in pushing for gender equality to raise fertility? : the second "YES"
Titelübersetzung:Sollen Regierungen in Europa mehr für die Gleichstellung der Geschlechter tun, um die Fruchtbarkeit zu erhöhen? : das zweite "Ja"
Autor/in:
Oláh, Livia Sz.
Quelle: Demographic Research, Vol. 24 (2011) , S. 217-224
Inhalt: "This paper is based on the authoress's contribution to a debate, organized by MPIDR, on the question displayed in the title above. She was asked to present arguments for the 'yes'-response (together with Laurent Toulemon, and arguing against the 'no'-side represented by Gerda Neyer and Dimiter Philipov). As pointed out in the paper, the most important theoretical reasoning relevant for this question is the gender equity theory. A number of studies provide sound empirical support to it, as discussed in the paper in details, and thereby also a rationale for a positive impact of increased gender equality on fertility. As the dual-earner family is here to stay, and given the well-known negative consequences of long-term very low fertility for a society, pushing for gender equality seems to be a reasonable strategy to be considered aiming for sustainable societal development." (author's abstract)
Should governments in Europe be more aggressive in pushing for gender equality to raise fertility? : the second "NO"
Titelübersetzung:Sollen die Regierungen in Europa mehr für die Gleichstellung der Geschlechter tun, um die Fruchtbarkeit zu erhöhen? : das zweite "Nein"
Autor/in:
Neyer, Gerda
Quelle: Demographic Research, Vol. 24 (2011) , S. 225-250
Inhalt: "This paper argues against the suggestion that governments should push for gender equality more aggressively in order to raise fertility. The paper presents a threefold 'no' to this proposal. It takes issue with the goal of raising fertility, arguing that the claims that fertility must be increased are based on myths. It rejects a more aggressive pursuit of gender equality for demographic purposes, maintaining that this method preserves inequality. It warns against using gender equality for fertility purposes, stating that this narrows the realm of gender equality. The paper is based on a debate held at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Rostock, at which the author was asked to argue against the gender equality-fertility proposal. The other participants in the debate were Laurent Toulemon ('yes'), Dimiter Philipov ('no'), and Livia Oláh ('yes')." (author's abstract)
Fertilitätsentscheidungen im Partnerschaftskontext : eine Analyse der Bedeutung der Bildungskonstellation von Paaren für die Familiengründung anhand des Mikrozensus 1996-2004
Titelübersetzung:Fertility decisions and partnership context effects of educational constellations on family formation based on German Mikrozensus data from 1996-2004
Autor/in:
Bauer, Gerrit; Jacob, Marita
Quelle: Kölner Zeitschrift für Soziologie und Sozialpsychologie, Jg. 62 (2010) H. 1, S. 31-60
Inhalt: "Zahlreiche Untersuchungen konzentrieren sich bei der Analyse fertilen Verhaltens auf Merkmale der Frau, deutlich weniger auf Merkmale des Mannes. Die meisten Kinder werden jedoch in bestehenden Paarbeziehungen gezeugt und geboren. Im vorliegenden Beitrag nehmen wir daher eine Paarperspektive ein und modellieren die Familiengründung als partnerschaftliche Entscheidung. Die Autoren untersuchen hierbei vor allem die Bedeutung des je eigenen Bildungsniveaus in Abhängigkeit von dem des Partners und den Einfluss unterschiedlicher Bildungskonstellationen in Partnerschaften." (Autorenreferat)
Inhalt: "A review of existing sociological literature on fertility decisions reveals that most empirical studies focus on characteristics of the female spouse as explanatory factors, while the role of the partner is neglected for the most part. However, most children are fathered and born into an existing relationship and the influence of the partner has to be regarded as an important determining factor for childbirth. The authors propose starting from a bargaining perspective and model family-formation as a collective decision mutually agreed upon by both spouses, especially scrutinizing on the interrelation of both partners' educational level. In this paper, they examine in how far certain educational constellations have an impact on family formation. Classical theories of family economics suggest that educational asymmetries between partners may encourage parenthood. Our analysis is based on German Mikrozensus data collected between 1996 and 2004. The large sample allows them to analyze in detail the effects of educational levels as well as uncommon educational constellations. In a first step, the authors investigate separate effects of general and vocational education of each partner, followed by a quasi-cohort design, with women born in the mid 1960th and mid 1970th, to study the timing of the first birth. They conclude that traditional hypergamy may foster parenthood. But also educational homogamy leads to a higher amount of parents as compared to hypogamous couples, in which the wife's educational qualification exceeds the husband's educational degree." (author's abstract)
Zur Erhebung proximaler Determinanten von Fertilität im Rahmen einer Panelbefragung
Titelübersetzung:Recording of proximal determinants of fertility as part of a panel survey
Autor/in:
Feldhaus, Michael
Quelle: Familie und Gesellschaft: Beiträge zur Familienforschung. Friedrich W. Busch (Hrsg.), Rosemarie Nave-Herz (Hrsg.). Oldenburg: BIS-Verl., 2005, S. 237-256
Inhalt: "Die sozialwissenschaftliche Forschung des generativen Verhaltens, definiert als das individuelle Handeln und Verhalten im Rahmen der Nachwuchsreproduktion, hat in den letzten Jahrzehnten starke Schwerpunktverlagerungen erfahren. Sie ist von den traditionell vorherrschenden makrotheoretischen Entwürfen und Analysen auf einen mikrofundierten und mikroanalytisch ausgerichteten Forschungsansatz des generativen Verhaltens umgeschwenkt (vgl. Brüderl et al. 2003). Obgleich die Erforschung des generativen Verhaltens in den letzten Jahrzehnten erhebliche theoretische und empirische Fortschritte erzielen, ist der Zusammenhang von situativen Rahmenbedingungen und psycho-sozialen Dispositionen auf der einen Seite und die Ausbildung und Umsetzung eines Kinderwunsches auf der anderen Seite noch nicht gänzlich geklärt. Dieses "Vermittelnde", die situativen Rahmenbedingungen einerseits und das generative Verhalten andererseits, methodisch und empirisch adäquater zu erfassen, ist die Aufgabe der so genannten proximalen Faktoren generativen Verhaltens. Hierzu zählen Fragen zur sexuellen Aktivität, zur Verhütungspraktik, zu Schwangerschaftsabbrüchen und neuerdings auch Fragen zur modernen Reproduktionsmedizin sowie zur pränatalen Diagnostik usw. Obgleich es innerhalb der internationalen Demographie aufgrund der Erforschung globaler Prozesse zur Weltbevölkerung, zur gesundheitlichen Entwicklung usw., ein großes Interesse an diesen Faktoren und deren Erhebung gibt, scheint dieser Bereich in gängigen deutschsprachigen Untersuchungen zur Erklärung des generativen Verhaltens nur ansatzweise berücksichtigt. Gerade von diesen Variablen sind aber weitere theoretische und empirische Erkenntnisfortschritte zu erwarten, wie im Folgenden dargelegt werden soll. Im Folgenden werden zunächst die proximativen Faktoren und ihre Zielsetzungen genauer beschrieben, wobei auch die Vorteile für ihre Erhebung eruiert werden (2.). Anschließend sollen die methodischen Probleme angesprochen werden, die sich gerade für eine Panelbefragung aus der Erhebung derartiger Fragestellungen ergeben können. So ist geplant, diese Variablen in das neu gestartete Beziehungs- und Familienentwicklungs-Panel (Pairfam) zu integrieren." (Textauszug)