Recent Changes in the Post-Yugoslav Family: The Disappearance of the Last Extended Family in Europe

Abstract

The paper studies the contemporary development of family patterns in the countries of the former Yugoslavia. Historically, these patterns varied considerably, from the extended family (zadruga, fis) present in Orthodox and Muslim regions, to the European conjugal family as typical of Western Europe in Slovenia. Current trends indicate a prevalence of modernization developments, despite the dissolution of Yugoslavia and the lack of a common state framework. The uniform pattern is even more clearly evinced in those countries where the extended family existed until the very dissolution of Yugoslavia (particularly Kosovo, where it seems the extended family has finally disappeared). Thus, a diminution in the average household size, in the average number of children born, is noted in all countries, particularly in those with previously high fertility rates. Finally, attitudes towards social roles within matrimony also indicate a convergence, towards favoring the parity of partners, in contrast to high variance on this issue during the existence of Yugoslavia, where traditionalistic attitudes prevailed, particularly in Kosovo and Macedonia. This finding does not lend support to the clash of civilizations thesis.