Estimating the Reciprocal Effect of Gender Role Attitudes and Family Formation: A Log-linear Path Model with Latent Variables

Gender role attitudes andfamily formation are related in a dynamicprocess. In this paper both substantive as wellas methodological issues are raised. At thesubstantive level we demonstrate that attitudesinfluence family formation in terms ofcommitment to particular states. Emancipatorygender roles increase the likelihood of singleliving or cohabitation. Remaining in thatparticular situation for at least two yearsimplies that these women further develop theiremancipatory attitudes. `Traditional' forms offamily living, such as being married or being amother, are related to traditional familyvalues. At the methodological level, it isobvious that only panel data allow broachingthe issue. We propose a log-linear path modelwith latent variables that allows takingmeasurement error into account. The designitself resembles a non-equivalent control groupdesign.