Department Seminar: Quo Vadis Familia?

In this talk, Prof. Esping-Andersen offers a synthesis of his more recent research into fertility and multi-equilibrium approaches to demographic change. 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.

Gøsta Esping-Andersen is professor emeritus at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra. Born in Denmark, he studied demography, economics and sociologyat Copenhagen University and at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he received his PhD.

His scientific work centres on life course dynamics, social stratification and comparative social policy. Before going to Pompeu Fabra, he taught at Harvard University, the University of Trento and the European University in Italy. His publications include: The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism, for which he was awarded the APSA's Aaron Wildavsky Enduring Contribution Award in 2005; The Social Foundations of Postindustrial Economies (translated into Italian and Japanese); Trois Lecons sur L'Etat Providence (Paris, Le Seuil), and Families in the 21st Century (2016). He is a research professor at the University of Bocconi since 2018. His current research focuses on two themes: one, on family demography and how women's changing roles influence family dynamics. Two, on social stratification and intergenerational social mobility.

All members of the department and research staff from across the faculty are invited to attend. Please navigate the calendar on the Department and Sociology's website to find upcoming Department Seminars.