Changing family and partnership behaviour: Common trends and persistent diversity across Europe

Changing family and partnership behaviour: Common trends and persistent diversity across Europe

The plan of our presentation 1. Introduction 2. The gradual retreat of marriage 3. The rise of cohabitation and the diversity of cohabiting unions 4. Rising divorce rates 5. The declining importance of marriage for childbearing and childrearing 6. Conclusion

Introduction

The gradual retreat of marriage Couples are marrying at later ages Growing numbers of marriages are ending in divorce Consensual unions have increasingly replaced marriage among younger people

Period total first marriage rates in different regions of Europe

The proportion of married people has declined rapidly, especially among men and women under age 30. Before Now

Proportion of women and men married at ages 20 – 30 in selected countries of Europe

The rise of cohabitation and the diversity of cohabiting unions   The character and stability of cohabitation vary greatly between individuals, between countries, and over time.

Cohabitation may eventually become a ‘marriage-like’ relationship, it is still not a complete substitute for marriage

Total divorce rates in selected countries of Europe

The declining importance of marriage for childbearing and childrearing VS.

Mean age at first birth and at first marriage among women in selected European countries

Percentage of children born outside marriage in selected countries

Conclusion