Intergenerational transmission in reproductive behavior: Southern Sweden 1813-1967

Louise Cormack, Lund University

The fertility decline that occurred in the industrialized world in the decades surrounding the turn of the 20th century has been extensively studied and a considerable number of theories exist to explain it. However, few of them address the influence of the family, and specifically from past generations, on women’s reproductive behavior. Hence, this study examines the presence and magnitude of intergenerational transmission in childbearing from mothers to daughters (N= 1,500) before, during and after the historical fertility decline in a Southern Swedish population by using data from SEDD (Scanian Economic Demographic Database) from 1813-1967. Contrary to previous research, intergenerational transmission was not found during the main period of the fertility decline. Nonetheless, towards the end and after the fertility decline, an intergenerational transmission in childbearing was detected in small families, living in an urban environment and from both the highest and lowest social classes. The results imply that family influences were not essential in explaining the historical fertility decline in this population, but emerged towards the end of the fertility decline and in the families that were forerunners in reducing their childbearing.

No extended abstract or paper available

 Presented in Session 45. Long Term Studies on Intergenerational Effects on Mobility and Fertility