Abstract
Government interventions into traditional functioning of family became an important factor in recent family crisis in developed countries (fewer marriages, more divorces, and lower birth rate). This hypothesis has been tested statistically for period from 1800 to 2010 with data from 17 established democracies.We show that mandatory pension insurance might contribute to reduction in fertility, with a lag of 40 years. Legislation encouraging a high level of female employment and mandating no-fault divorce rules is tested as an additional factor contributing to divorce rate hike and birth rate fall. In addition, concept of the best interests of child encourages children to challenge parents' authority; latter reduces demand for children (and birthrate) even further.The reason behind this effect is rise of welfare state, crowding out male and parental responsibilities.
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