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The significance of looking back: fertility before the "fertility decline"
Die Bedeutung des Blicks zurück in die Geschichte: Fertilität vor dem "Geburtenrückgang"
[journal article]
Abstract In this paper, I argue that living with no or few children and low fertility was widespread in pre-industrial societies. After a critical discussion of demographic transition theory and the concept of 'natural fertility', I investigate fertility in early modern Europe. In doing so, I follow the sugg... view more
In this paper, I argue that living with no or few children and low fertility was widespread in pre-industrial societies. After a critical discussion of demographic transition theory and the concept of 'natural fertility', I investigate fertility in early modern Europe. In doing so, I follow the suggestion of 'cultural demography' and combine quantitative and qualitative research. I show a great extent and many variations of deliberate birth control before the 'fertility decline' took place. This finding should help to see the actual level of fertility as less exceptional and dramatic than it is often claimed. Adapted from the source document.... view less
Keywords
fertility; twentieth century; birth trend; number of children; family planning; contemporary history; Europe; Japan; demographic factors; population development; paradigm change; cultural factors; pre-industrial society; industrial society; myth; reproduction; control; historical development; Far East; Asia
Classification
Social History, Historical Social Research
Population Studies, Sociology of Population
Method
empirical; qualitative empirical; quantitative empirical; historical; theory application
Free Keywords
fertility decline; birth control; Demographic Transition Theory
Document language
English
Publication Year
2011
Page/Pages
p. 11-34
Journal
Historical Social Research, 36 (2011) 2
Issue topic
Fertilität in der Geschichte des 20. Jahrhunderts: Trends, Theorien, Politik, Diskurse / Fertility in the history of the 20th century: trends, theories, policies, discourses
DOI
https://doi.org/10.12759/hsr.36.2011.2.11-34
ISSN
0172-6404
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed