Family ideals in an era of low fertility

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Aassve, Arnstein; Adsera, Alicia; Chang, Paul Y.; Mencarini, Letizia; Park, Hyunjoon; Peng, Chen; Plach, Samuel; Raymo, James M.; Wang, Senhu; Yeung, Wei-Jun Jean
• 署名单位: Bocconi University; Bocconi University; Princeton University; Princeton University; Harvard University; University of Pennsylvania; Princeton University; University of Tokyo; National University of Singapore; National University of Singapore; Agency for Science Technology & Research (A*STAR)
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-8891
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311847121
• 发表日期: 2024-02-06
• 关键词: marriage; cohabitation; intentions; patterns; east; revolution; CHILDREN

摘要

Taking stock of individuals' perceived family ideals is particularly important in the current moment given unprecedented fertility declines and the diversification of households in advanced industrial societies. Study participants in urban China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, Italy, Spain, and Norway were asked to evaluate vignettes describing families whose characteristics vary on ten dimensions. In contrast to previous studies that focused on a single dimension, such as fertility ideals or gender roles, this holistic vignette approach identifies the relative importance of each dimension. Multilevel regression analysis reveals both expected and unexpected findings. Parenthood remains a positive ideal, but the number of children does not matter once other family dimensions are considered, a potentially important finding in light of conventional wisdom regarding the two-children ideal. When evaluating families with at least one child, respondents tend to positively evaluate more traditional arrangements, including valuing marriage relative to cohabitation and, particularly, divorce. Also, in addition to financial resources, good communication between immediate and extended family members, as well as maintaining respect in the larger community, are highly salient attributes of an ideal family. Notwithstanding some important cross -national differences, egalitarian gender roles and avoiding work- family conflict are also valued positively. Overall, even as the study reveals some notable variations between societies, respondents across countries identify similar components of an ideal family.