Diffusion Effects in the European Fertility Transition: Historical Evidence from Within a Belgian Town (1846–1910)

Author: van Bavel J.

Source: European Journal of Population/ Revue europenne de Dmographie, Volume 20, Number 1, 2004 , pp. 63-85(23)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

This article investigates empirically diffusion effects on married couples' fertility behaviour during the historical European demographic transition. To this end, a blended logistic model of parity-dependent stopping behaviour is developed, including indicators for both natural and structural determinants and diffusion effects. The model is applied to the birth intervals of three 19th century generations of urban working class couples living in the Belgian town of Leuven. The results indicate that occupational status cannot explain the adoption of stopping behaviour. The evidence suggests that diffusion mechanisms were at work on a neighbourhood level: the proportion of Francophone couples living in the Leuven streets had a significant positive impact on the probability that the Flemish couples were applying stopping behaviour. Also, working class couples who were living in a town quarter that was hosting many upper class people were significantly more likely to stop.

Keywords: Belgium; demographic transition; diffusion; fertility control; logistic model

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:EUJP.0000014572.66520.0d

Affiliations: 1: Department of Sociology, KU Leuven, Van Evenstraat 2B, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium ( ), Email: Jan.VanBavel@soc.kuleuven.ac.be

Publication date: 2004-01-01