Comparative Analysis of Changing Family Formation – Different Life Course Regimes and Developmental Paths Identified in European Countries

The paper contributes to the comparative analysis of life course dynamics and cohort changes in Europe. Varying forms of data collection and preparation often hinder quantitative comparative analyses; therefore, international survey programs like the Generations and Gender Survey (GGS) have been initiated. I added data from the National Educational Panel Survey (NEPS, research methodology very similar) for West Germany to compare developmental paths with regards to family related life courses between four European countries (Germany (NEPS), Italy, France and Norway (GGS)). I use sequence analysis to examine life course patterns of nearly 40,000 respondents and identify life course regimes and changes between them. The empirical patterns are finally related to classifications of countries and developmental paths as provided by concepts of welfare regimes (e.g. Esping-Andersen).

Findings show, that Northern and Western European countries follow a similar sequence of regimes, starting from a traditional life course regime, marked by a simultaneous start of cohabitation and marriage and subsequent fertility among the majority of respondents. Afterwards, they pass through a ‘semi-traditional’ regime with unmarried cohabitation preceding traditional family formation. Finally, they reach a ‘post-modern’ life course regime, in which life courses with first birth(s) to unmarried, cohabiting couples are more frequent than other life courses. The process of change is completed in Norway and France, while in West Germany the transformation from the second to the third regime is retarded. Italy follows a different developmental path: The change towards a ‘semi-traditional’ regime is much slower and the regime is characterized by a postponement of the traditional process of family formation.

Overall, the concept of family related life course regimes is helpful to understand, compare and classify life course dynamics. The sequence of the regimes can be interpreted as developmental paths; developments are not determined, differing speeds and changes in directions are possible.