Thesis supervisor: Judit Takács
co-supervisor: Ivett Szalma
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Corvinus University of Budapest Abbreviation of location of studies: BCE
Description of the research topic:
European societies have experienced a significant change in fertility patterns: postponement of becoming parents, massive falls in fertility rates, shrinking family sizes and growing numbers of childless women. Especially from the second half of the 20th century there was increasing attention focused on the different interpretations of childless lifestyles: the changing social perception of childlessness is reflected by the fact that besides the previously almost exclusively stigmatizing approaches, “being childfree” appeared as an option of alternative lifestyles. Nowadays the issue of childlessness is connected to several psychological, social, and socio-political consequences both at the individual level and at the level of society.
Our knowledge on factors potentially influencing childbearing is still very incomplete. In 2014 we will continue our examination of childlessness within the Families And Societes FP7 programme: we will focus on macro-level determinants of childlessness among women and men in Europe, and examine the relationship between fertility postponement, completed fertility and childlessness. Additionally, we will conduct a larger scale qualitative research project to explore the empirically detectable reasons of intentional childlessness, as well as the potential psychological, social and socio-political consequences of (intentional and non-intentional) childlessness in Hungary. This topic has several aspects which can be analyzed by quantitative or qualitative means or with mixed methods, depending on the chosen subtopic.
Infrastructure and Support
The ideal candidate has good skills either in advanced statistics or in qualitative methodology, and at least a basic knowledge of demographic trends in Europe. A successful candidate will also have the opportunity to join our FP7 research team.
Literature
Gillespie, R. (2001) Contextualizing voluntary childlessness within a postmodern model of reproduction: Implications for health and social needs. Critical Social Policy, 21: 139–159.
Hagestad G. – Call, V.R.A. (2007): Pathways to Childlessness: A Life Course Perspective. Journal of Family Issues, 28/10. 1338–1361.
Hird, M. J. – Abshoff K. (2010) Women without Children: A Contradiction in Terms? In.: Journal of Comparative Family Studies 2010/6 347-366.
Houseknecht, S. K. (1987). Voluntary childlessness. In M. P. Sussman and K. Steinmetz (Eds.), Handbook of marriage and the family, pp. 369-395. New York: Plenum.
Szalma I. – Takács J. (2012) A gyermektelenséget meghatározó tényezők Magyarországon (Factors Influencing Childlessness in Hungary). Demográfia 55(1): 44–68.
Takács, J. (2013) Unattainable desires? Childbearing capabilities in early 21st century Hungary. In: L.Sz. Oláh and E. Fratczak (eds.) Childbearing, Women’s Employment and Work-Life Balance Policies in Contemporary Europe. Basingstoke and New York, N.Y: Palgrave Macmillan.
Required language skills: angol Number of students who can be accepted: 1
Deadline for application: 2018-05-02
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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