ANCHORED NARRATIVES - THE STORY AND FINDINGS OF HALF A CENTURY OF RESEARCH INTO THE DETERMINANTS OF FERTILITY

Authors
Citation
Dj. Vandekaa, ANCHORED NARRATIVES - THE STORY AND FINDINGS OF HALF A CENTURY OF RESEARCH INTO THE DETERMINANTS OF FERTILITY, Population Studies, 50(3), 1996, pp. 389
Citations number
193
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Review
Categorie Soggetti
Demografy
Journal title
ISSN journal
0032-4728
Volume
50
Issue
3
Year of publication
1996
Database
ISI
SICI code
0032-4728(1996)50:3<389:AN-TSA>2.0.ZU;2-O
Abstract
This paper reviews half a century of research into the determinants of fertility. It is argued that the quest for the determinants of fertil ity behaviour and change during that period can best be interpreted as the development of a series of sub-narratives from different discipli nary perspectives and orientations. These are normally based upon the initial narrative of the demographic transition and usually take the f orm of a verbal theory illustrated by a 'box and arrow' diagram. On oc casions formalization has been attempted. Different parts of the initi al narrative have been highlighted at different times depending on pol icy interest, improvements in technical skills, availability of data, changes in social setting, and the degree of satisfaction with the dom inant sub-narrative of the day. There is every reason to believe that the research process identified will continue and will lead to a furth er accumulation of knowledge. In fact, all important variables have pr obably already been identified. That it will, ultimately, lead to a si ngle, consolidated narrative fully satisfactory for all settings and f or all time is, however, highly unlikely.