Preference Theory and Low Fertility: A Comparative Perspective |
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| Authors: | Agnese Vitali Francesco C Billari Alexia Prskawetz Maria Rita Testa |
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| Institution: | 1.Carlo F. Dondena Centre for Research on Social Dynamics,Università Bocconi,Milan,Italy;2.Carlo F. Dondena Centre for Research on Social Dynamics, IMQ and IGIER,Università Bocconi,Milan,Italy;3.Vienna Institute of Demography,Austrian Academy of Sciences,Vienna,Austria;4.Institute of Mathematical Methods in Economics, Research Unit Economics,Vienna University of Technology,Vienna,Austria |
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| 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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