The Economic Theory of Fertility Over Three Decades

A large proportion of cohabitors in the Statistics Norway Omnibus Surveys of 1996 reported economic reasons for their hesitation to marry, and in particular the costs of the wedding. In line with this, the Norwegian Family and Occupation Survey of 1988 revealed effects both of women's cumulated income and men's non-employment on the actual choice of union type. Also some other evidence suggests that affordability matters, although there are plausible alternative interpretations. On the other hand, several estimates suggest that economic strength does not induce marriage. Since there also has been no deterioration of young adults' economic situation in Norway, except for the delay of economic independence owing to longer college enrolment, one can hardly claim that lack of affordability is a dominating force behind the massive drift away from marriage. The analysis is anchored in a theoretical framework that may prove useful in other studies of cohabitation as an alternative to marriage.     

世界历史上版图最大之帝国初探

古往今来世界上版图特大的帝国(王朝)有哪些,其中最大的是不是蒙古帝国——这是一个饶有兴趣并有待研究的问题。通过地图量算和文献研究,得知19世纪末20世纪初的大英帝国是世界历史上版图最大的帝国,1580—1640年的西班牙帝国是第二大的日不落帝国,19世纪中叶的俄罗斯帝国是欧亚美连成一片的第三大帝国,13—14世纪的蒙古帝国则是地跨欧亚的第四大帝国。     

US/Spanish comparisons on temporary immigrant workers: implications for policy development and community practice Trabajadores inmigrantes temporales en los EEUU y España: implicaciones para el desarrollo de políticas sociales y servicios comunitarios

Issues of immigration policy have recently become a central preoccupation of citizens, policy makers and law enforcement agencies throughout the globe. This paper addresses the commonalities and differences in policy and services experienced by temporary workers in the US and Spain, focusing on the South-western US and Andalusia. Laws and regulations affecting temporary workers in both countries are reviewed. Implications for social service providers are drawn and contrasted.

Problemas relacionados a las políticas inmigratorias se han transformado en una preocupación central de los políticos, la policía migratoria y los administradores de programas sociales en muchos países del mundo. Este artículo se enfoca en las similitudes y diferencias en políticas de servicios que afectan a los trabajadores inmigrantes temporales en los EEUU y España, concentrándose principalmente en el Sur-oeste de los EEUU y Andalucía. Se describen las leyes principales que afectan a estos trabajadores en ambos países y se discuten las implicaciones de esta situación para los trabajadores sociales.     

“I'm going to do battle… I'm going to do some good”. Biographical trajectories,moral politics,and public engagement among highly religious young Catholics in Spain and Mexico

Public debates and controversies on moral issues have gained visibility in recent decades in both Spain and Mexico. Conservative Catholic groups and networks are increasingly playing a crucial role in raising and framing highly morally charged themes in the public arena, especially on intimacy-related policies, including sexual and reproductive freedoms. A new generation of young Catholic leaders becoming key political agents has emerged in this scenario. They are fostering new mobilisation repertoires in the public sphere (e.g., digital activism and public performances) and promoting new political narratives merging moral, cultural, and religious elements. These highly religious and conservative young Catholics consider themselves part of a cultural/cognitive minority and feel entitled to become what Howard Becker termed “moral entrepreneurs.” Most have been educated in Catholic schools and belong to Catholic movements. Still, they can also navigate secular politics and strategically use different regimes of justification and action. Within this context, the article aims to examine and compare the intersection of historical trends and the relevance of individual biographies to understand the role of these young Catholics in the public space in both countries.     

Using a hybrid data collection tool: Analysis of youth labour market trajectories integrating quantitative,qualitative and social network data

This article explains the factors that led to the use of a hybrid data collection tool—i.e., a single questionnaire designed to collect both quantitative and qualitative data—in two different research projects that focused on the relation between the labour market trajectories of young people and the use and accumulation of network social capital in these trajectories. The article describes the characteristics of this tool and the methodological challenges posed by its use. The advantages and disadvantages of this specific type of data collection are also addressed. Among the main advantages, the improvement of data quality and the overarching picture obtained of the career path and use of personal networks are highlighted. The most important downside found is the amount of time needed in the interview, which shows the need to pay attention to the balance between quantitative and qualitative elements in the structure of the questionnaire.