Families in Converging Europe: A Comparison of Forms, Structures and Ideals (Electronic book text)

The traditional concept of a family is no longer the norm in modern-day Europe. Fertility rates are declining, alternative family forms are becoming common place, and people are chosing to remain single for longer. In this book, Eriikka Oinonen examines common familial trends and differences throughout Europe since the 1960s and discusses the most common theoretical explanations for convergence and divergence. Analysing the demographic, socio-economic and cultural differences and similarities at the EU level, and as a comparison between Spain and Finland, this book considers how international structures such as the EU and OECD affect Europeans' family-related choices and the ideal of the family.