Beyond the Second Demographic Transition: Cohabitation in Chile

Abstract

Previous studies suggest that Latin America is entering into a Second Demographic Transition (SDT). This essay asks whether this theory can account for increasing cohabitation in Chile, contrasting this perspective with three alternative frameworks: gender revolution (GR), declining patriarchy (DP), and the pattern of disadvantage/dual marriage system (POD/DMS). We analyze available evidence from published works and from new research to explore the pertinence of these frameworks to the situation in Chile. We argue that female autonomy is a key determinant of the rise in cohabitation. The SDT, as originally stated, assigned female autonomy a significant role as the engine of demographic changes. However, in recent formulations, specifically, in its applications to Latin America, female autonomy was subsumed under individual autonomy. In any event, structural changes that are preconditions to female autonomy have not been addressed by the SDT. Thus, other frameworks are needed to explain the Chilean situation. According to the DP approach, within a long-term process of declining patriarchy, recent increased participation of Chilean women in paid work was probably the main promoter of female autonomy. Yet greater female autonomy has not been accompanied by changes in men’s domestic labor or by less familistic social policies, which is in accordance with the first stage of the GR. Moreover, enduring inequalities—as proposed by the POD approach—and ongoing relevance of the DMS probably account for the speed of growing cohabitation, not only among the more disadvantaged population, but also among more affluent groups.