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 first "NO"
Autor/in:
Philipov, Dimiter
Quelle: Demographic Research, Vol. 24 (2011) , S. 201-216
Inhalt: "This paper takes the 'no' side in the debate on the question posed in the title.
The paper assumes that the dual-earner/ dual-carer household model is the most likely
aim of policies that push aggressively for gender equality in order to raise fertility.
Five objections are discussed: the model does not necessarily lead to a fertility
increase; aggressiveness will lead to an imbalance of labor supply and demand, and
is likely to confront slowly changing cultural norms; similar policies will also confront
the issue of innate gender differences; and country idiosyncrasies prevent the application
of a unified policy approach. The paper briefly concludes that compatible gender-neutral
family policies and fertility-neutral gender policies are likely to lead to an increase
in 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)|
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)
Should governments in Europe be more aggressive in pushing for gender equality to raise fertility? : the first "NO"
Titelübersetzung:Sollen die Regierungen in Europa mehr für die Gleichstellung der Geschlechter tun, um die Fruchtbarkeit zu erhöhen? : die Antwort ist "nein"
Autor/in:
Philipov, Dimiter
Quelle: Demographic Research, Vol. 24 (2011) , S. 201-216
Inhalt: "This paper takes the 'no' side in the debate on the question posed in the title. The paper assumes that the dual-earner/ dual-carer household model is the most likely aim of policies that push aggressively for gender equality in order to raise fertility. Five objections are discussed: the model does not necessarily lead to a fertility increase; aggressiveness will lead to an imbalance of labor supply and demand, and is likely to confront slowly changing cultural norms; similar policies will also confront the issue of innate gender differences; and country idiosyncrasies prevent the application of a unified policy approach. The paper briefly concludes that compatible gender-neutral family policies and fertility-neutral gender policies are likely to lead to an increase in 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)
Familienpolitik ohne Gleichstellungspolitik? : zu einigen Paradoxien aktueller familienpolitischer Interventionen in Deutschland
Titelübersetzung:Family policies in conflict with gender equality? : reflections on paradox performances in the recent reform processes in Germany
Autor/in:
Veil, Mechthild
Quelle: Feministische Studien : Zeitschrift für interdisziplinäre Frauen- und Geschlechterforschung, Jg. 28 (2010) Nr. 2, S. 214-228
Inhalt: "This article analyses the lack of gender equality within the realm of family policies in Germany due to the conservative corporate model of welfare-regime (Esping Andersen). Family policies in western Germany have promoted strong male breadwinner models which will become obsolete but [always] still persist. We argue that the recent turn in family policies which started at the beginning of this century can be seen as a late modernisation focussing on reforms which connect family policies with employment policy, and gender equality with the demands of employed parents. Two reforms, representative for this change are analysed in detail: the programme to significantly expand (of) publicly-provided childcare for young children (TAG) and the introduction of an earning-related parental benefit which strengthens the role of fathers as caregivers. Special attention is given to the expansion of family policies at the company level. Whether this 'economic turn' is actually having an additional impact on gender equality is highly disputed in feminist studies." (author's abstract)
CEWS Kategorie:Demographie und Bevölkerungsfragen, Gleichstellungspolitik
Dokumenttyp:Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Ansätze zu einer emanzipatorischen Familienpolitik : der Siebte Familienbericht
Titelübersetzung:Approaches towards emancipatory family policy : the seventh family report
Autor/in:
Jurczyk, Karin
Quelle: WSI Mitteilungen : Monatszeitschrift des Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftlichen Instituts in der Hans-Böckler-Stiftung, Jg. 60 (2007) H. 10, S. 531-537
Inhalt: "Anlass für die aktuelle Aufmerksamkeit, die Familie und Familienpolitik erfahren, ist vor allem, dass die Konsequenzen des demografischen Wandels realisiert werden. Demgegenüber findet die Gleichstellungspolitik derzeit wenig Beachtung. Der Siebte Familienbericht der Bundesregierung versucht erstmals, diese beiden Politikbereiche systematisch miteinander zu verbinden. Er argumentiert, dass das Modernisierungsdefizit der Familienpolitik in Deutschland fatale Folgen habe. Die Beibehaltung traditionell gerahmter Geschlechterverhältnisse führe bei sich gleichzeitig verändernden gesellschaftlichen Bedingungen zu erheblichen Problemen im Familienleben und verhindere nicht zuletzt auch die Realisierung von Kinderwünschen. Deswegen fokussiert der Bericht auf die Umsetzung des Zweiverdienermodells, das Fürsorge im Lebenslauf für beide Geschlechter einschließt. Die Operationalisierbarkeit dieses Modells wird in verschiedenen Szenarien durchgespielt. Gleichwohl haben die hier sichtbaren emanzipatorischen Ansätze der Familienpolitik auch Grenzen und machen eine eigenständige Gleichstellungspolitik nicht überflüssig." (Autorenreferat)
Inhalt: "It is mainly the awareness of the consequences of the demographic changes which direct the public and political attention to the issues of family and family policy. In contrast, little attention is paid to gender equity policy. The seventh family report, issued by the German federal government, endeavours for the first time to systematically integrate these two political areas. The report argues that the deficits in modernising family policy have fatal repercussions. The continuance of traditionally framed gender relationships at a time when conditions within society are changing leads to considerable problems in family life, not least preventing couples from realising their wish to have children. Therefore the report focuses on the implementation of the dual-earner-model which takes both genders into consideration with respect to caring responsibilities. Putting this model into practice is considered in various scenarios. Nevertheless, these emancipatory approaches in family policy have limits and therefore do not in any way make independent gender equity policy superfluous." (author's abstract)