Family Trends in Selected Nonsocialist Countries.

N

66

Birth Rate; Comparative Analysis; Cross Cultural Studies; Cultural Differences; Data Analysis; Divorce; Family Characteristics; Family (Sociological Unit); Foreign Countries; Futures (of Society); Marriage; Primary Sources; Social Change; Social Indicators; Sociocultural Patterns; Socioeconomic Influences; Statistical Analysis; Trend Analysis

Japan; Netherlands; Sweden; United States; West Germany

Changes in marriage and the family from 1950-74 in five nonsocialist countries were explored. The countries selected for the study were Japan, the Netherlands, West Germany, Sweden, and the United States. Most of the data were derived from the United Nations'"Demographic Yearbook," although various original sources from the particular countries were consulted. Concentrating on marriage formations and divorces, the paper noted rises, declines, surges, peaks, and valleys in the rates for the five countries over the 25 year period. Similarities, dissimilarities, and trends among countries were compared and results of the marriage and divorce curves were summarized in five general statements: (1) there was no strong relationship between the number of marriages during a given period and the number of divorces five to ten years later; (2) the relationship between the number of marriages and number of divorces differed in the various countries and at different times; (3) regardless of marriage patterns, divorces increased in all of the five countries in the same period, 1964-65; (4) youthful age at marriage increased fertility and the likelihood of divorce, although other variables must also be taken into account; (5) crude birth rate was level in Japan and fell in Sweden, the Netherlands, the United States, and West Germany. Computer-generated graphs on marriage, divorce, and births are presented in the appendix. (Author/DB)

1976

ED138536