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)|
Gender equality and fertility intentions revisited evidence from Finland
Titelübersetzung:Gleichstellung der Geschlechter und Fruchtbarkeitsabsichten, korrigierte Ergebnisse aus Finnland
Autor/in:
Miettinen, Anneli; Basten, Stuart; Rotkirch, Anna
Quelle: Demographic Research, Vol. 24 (2011) , S. 469-496
Inhalt: "Stimulated by the recent debate on gender roles and men's fertility behavior (Puur et al. 2008; Westoff and Higgins 2009; Goldscheider, Oláh and Puur 2010), the authors present evidence from Finland as a country well into the second phase of the so-called gender revolution. They examine how gender role attitudes relate to childbearing intentions at the onset of family life, intentions to have many (3 or more) children, and high personal fertility ideals among low-parity men and women. Gender equality attitudes are measured for both the public and the domestic sphere and the influence of work and family orientation is controlled for. Finding signs of a U-shaped association among men, the authors conclude that both traditional and egalitarian attitudes raise men's expected fertility compared to men with intermediate gender attitudes and independently of family values. Among Finnish women the impact of gender attitudes is smaller and more ambiguous." (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)
Quelle: Gütersloh: Verl. Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2009. 268 S.
Inhalt: Die Zahl der Geburten hat sich in Deutschland in den letzten 40 Jahren halbiert. Die durchschnittliche Lebenserwartung ist im gleichen Zeitraum um gut zehn Jahre gestiegen. Die Einwohnerzahl wird spürbar abnehmen und der Anteil der Älteren ständig größer werden. Gleichzeitig wächst die ethnische und kulturelle Vielfalt der Bevölkerung; Familienstrukturen und Lebensläufe ändern sich. Der demographische Wandel verändert zunehmend das Gesicht unseres Landes, der Städte und Regionen. Wie wirkt sich diese Entwicklung auf die verschiedenen Lebensbereiche aus? Welche Gefahren gehen von ihr aus - welche Chancen bietet sie? Wie lässt sich der demographische Wandel gestalten? Die Suche nach Antworten auf diese Fragen steht in Deutschland erst am Anfang. Es gilt, das Bewusstsein zu stärken, dass der demographische Wandel kein unausweichliches Schicksal ist, sondern eine Aufgabe, die von Politik und Bürgern erkannt und beherzt angegangen werden muss. Dieses Buch fasst in Fachbeiträgen die Analysen und Lösungsansätze renommierter Wissenschaftler in den Schwerpunkten "Familie", "Bildung" und "gesellschaftliche Vielfalt" zusammen. Es zeigt, welche Strategien hinsichtlich des demographischen Wandels notwendig sind, damit Politik, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft den Weg von der theoretischen Diskussion zum konkreten Handeln schnell und erfolgreich gehen können. (DIPF/Orig.)
CEWS Kategorie:Demographie und Bevölkerungsfragen, Bildung und Erziehung, Vereinbarkeit Familie-Beruf
Dokumenttyp:Monographie
Gleichstellungs- und Familienpolitik in Zeiten demographischen Wandels
Titelübersetzung:Equal opportunity policy and family policy in times of demographic change
Autor/in:
Ostner, Ilona
Quelle: Globalisierung und europäisches Sozialmodell. Christoph Linzbach (Hrsg.), Uwe Lübking (Hrsg.), Stephanie Scholz (Hrsg.), Bernd Schulte (Hrsg.). Baden-Baden: Nomos Verl.-Ges., 2007, S. 255-272
Inhalt: Die Verfasserin setzt sich einleitend auf terminologischer Ebene mit Gleichstellungs- und Familienpolitik im europäischen Kontext auseinander. Sie wendet sich dann dem Wandel der Familien und den gewandelten Geschlechterverhältnissen in den EU-Staaten zu und untersucht den politischen Umgang mit Familien in Ländern, die entweder eine noch vergleichsweise hohe Geburtenrate oder eine hohe Müttererwerbsquote oder beides haben (z. B. Frankreich, Niederlande, Finnland). Demgegenüber ist in den postsozialistischen Ländern die Geburtenrate trotz einer langen Tradition mütterlicher Erwerbsbeteiligung und öffentlicher Kinderbetreuung niedriger als in Deutschland. Die Beispiele zeigen, dass die Mitgliedsländer der EU unterschiedlich lange Wege zurücklegen müssen, bis jedes Land das gewünschte Maß an elterlicher Erwerbsbeteiligung und außerhäuslicher Kinderbetreuung haben wird. Deutschland hat mit dem Elterngeld überraschend einen großen Schritt in Richtung auf eine pronatalistische Politik getan. (ICE2)