The significance of looking back: fertility before the "fertility decline"

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 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

Object Details

• Alternative title: Die Bedeutung des Blicks zurück in die Geschichte: Fertilität vor dem "Geburtenrückgang"
• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: The significance of looking back: fertility before the "fertility decline" ; volume:36 ; number:2 ; year:2011 ; pages:11-34 ; Veröffentlichungsversion ; begutachtet (peer reviewed) ; Historical social research ; 36, Heft 2 (2011), 11-34

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Geschichte ; Sozialwissenschaften, Soziologie, Anthropologie

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Ehmer, Josef

Further information

• DOI: 10.12759/hsr.36.2011.2.11-34
• URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-342319
• Rights: Open Access; Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 11:00 AM CEST