Quo Vadis Familia?

Abstract

A dominant perspective within family demography argues for the gradual demise of the family as individualism and postmodern values gain dominance. Very much based on my 2017 book Families in the 21st Century, I build on multiple equilibrium theory to demonstrate that, yes, the conventional family model is passee. We now find ourselves hovering in a situation in which a new family equilibrium has yet to achieve dominance. I present some evidence, based very much on the Scandinavian vanguard countries, to suggest what the new model may look like.