Individualisation and fertility

Abstract: "In this paper, the authors discuss individualization theory as a parsimonious framework concept to describe and explain core points of fertility change in Western societies since the end of the 19th century. They emphasize two dimensions of individualization: firstly, the increase in status of the individual in cultural, social, economic and legal respects (human dignity); secondly, the increase in autonomy and freedom of choice. In contrast to other approaches based on individualization theory, the authors do not use the concept of self-realization in the sense of an increased orientation towards purely individual interests, not least because this concept has failed before the renewed rise in fertility that has recently been observed in some advanced societies. They discuss the relevance of these two dimensions of individualization in the context of the first transition and the 1960s with its declining fertility rates. Whereas the first demographic transition can be mainly explai

Object Details

• Alternative title: Individualisierung und Fertilität
• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Individualisation and fertility ; volume:36 ; number:2 ; year:2011 ; pages:35-64 ; Veröffentlichungsversion ; begutachtet (peer reviewed) ; Historical social research ; 36, Heft 2 (2011), 35-64

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Geschichte ; Sozialwissenschaften, Soziologie, Anthropologie

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Ehrhardt, Jens ; Kohli, Martin

Further information

• DOI: 10.12759/hsr.36.2011.2.35-64
• URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-342196
• Rights: Open Access; Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:48 AM CEST