Low Fertility Regimes and Demographic and Societal Change

This book explores how low fertility levels could fundamentally change a country's population and society. It analyzes the profound effects below average birthrates have on virtually all aspects of society, from the economy to religion, from marriage to gender roles. An introduction written by Dudley L. Poston Jr. provides a general overview of this relatively new phenomenon that has already impacted nearly one-half of the countries of the world today. Poston also discusses the broad implications of the changes that these societies are currently experiencing and the ones that they will soon confront. Next, each of the 12 essays collected in this volume look into how a low fertility level affects a particular demographic or societal structure or process. In addition, case studies offer an in-depth portrait of these changes in the United States and China. Coverage includes the dynamics of low and lowest-low (where the birthrate is well below average) fertility, high and increasing life expectancies in the United States, the implications of native-born fertility and other socio-demographic changes for less-skilled U. S. immigration, ageing and age dependency in post-industrial societies, good mothering and gender roles in China, the increasing prevalence of voluntary childlessness, how low fertility and prolonged longevity could result in slow economic growth, the decreasing relevance of traditional religious systems, and more. The emergence and persistence of population decline produced by low fertility levels has the potential to greatly alter key aspects of society as well as individual lives. Containing insightful analysis from some of the top minds in demography today, this book will arm readers with the knowledge they need to fully understand these transformations.

Han Gon Kim: Preface. - 1. Dudley L. Poston, Jr. : The Context of Low Fertility Regimes and Demographic and Societal Change. - Part I: Demographic Dynamics and Change: 2. Francesco Billari: A Great Divergence in Fertility? . - 3. Nayoung Heo, and Dudley L. Poston, Jr. : Natural Decrease in the Context of Lowest-low Fertility: South Korea, 2005-2014. - 4. Richard Rogers, Elizabeth M. Lawrence, and Robert A. Hummer: A 21st Century Demographic Challenge: High and Increasing Life Expectancies in the United States. - 5. Susan K. Brown, Frank D. Bean and James D. Bachmeier: The Implications of Native-Born Fertility and Other Socio-Demographic Changes for Less-Skilled U. S. Immigration. - Part II: Structural Change: 6. Samsik Lee: Issues of Aging and Age Dependency in Post-industrial Societies. - 7. Nancy Riley: Good Mothering in China: Effects of Migration, Low Fertility, and Birth Constraints. - 8. Linda Waite and Juyeon Kim: Sexuality and Marital Relationships in Low Fertility Societies. - 9. Gavin W. Jones: What is Driving Marriage and Cohabitation in Low Fertility Countries? . - Part III: Institutional Change. - 10. Daniel T. Lichter, Zhenchao Qian: Children at Risk: Diversity, Inequality, and the Third Demographic Transition. - 11. Michael Teitelbaum: Political Effects Real and Imagined in Low Fertility Societies. - 12. Christopher Ellison, Xiaohe Xu, and Andrea L. Ruiz: The Implications of Low Fertility Regimes for Religion in the 21st Century. - About the Authors.