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Towards renewed fears of population and family decline?

Vers de nouvelles craintes d'un déclin de la population et de la famille?

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Abstract

This paper examines the extent to which governments have been concerned by the demographic changes which have taken place since the 1960s. The comparative analysis, based on a review of selected demographic-related state initiatives, reveals major differences across countries in the attitudes of governments to population and family issues. The paper also contrasts the differences between the post-1960s situation and the 1930s one when the low fertility levels and the transformations undergone by the family had also captured the attention of governments. The paper then concludes by looking at the role played by non-governmental social actors in the discussion surrounding population and family issues.

Résumé

Ce papier examine le degré auquel les gouvernements ont été préoccupés par les changements démographiques qui sont survenus depuis les années soixante. L'analyse comparative, réalisée sur la base d'une revue sélective des initiatives gouvernementales à caractère démographique, révèle des différences majeures entre pays en ce qui concerne l'attitude des gouvernements face aux questions familiales et démographiques. Ce papier contraste aussi les différences entre la situation qui a pris place depuis les années soixante et celle des années trente lorsque les faibles niveaux de fécondité et les transformations subies par la famille avaient aussi capté l'attention des gouvernements. Le papier conclut par une discussion du rôle joué par les acteurs sociaux non-gouvernementaux dans le débat relié aux questions familiales et démographiques.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Social Studies and Social Research, Barnett House, Wellington Square, OX1 2ER, Oxford, UK

    Anne Hélène Gauthier

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  1. Anne Hélène Gauthier
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Additional information

This paper is drawn from a forthcoming book on the topicThe Politics of Population and Family; A Comparative Analysis (Oxford University Press). Its title is inspired byThe Fear of Population Decline by M. S. Teitelbaum and J. M. Winter (1985).

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Gauthier, A.H. Towards renewed fears of population and family decline?. Eur J Population 9, 143–167 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01267555

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01267555

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