Wolfgang Lutz, Rudolf Richter and Chris Wilson (Eds.). THE NEW GENERATIONS OF EUROPEANS: DEMOGRAPHY AND FAMILIES IN THE ENLARGED EUROPEAN UNION

Abstract

Wolfgang Lutz, Rudolf Richter and Chris Wilson (Eds.). THE NEW GENERATIONS OF EUROPEANS: DEMOGRAPHY AND FAMILIES IN THE ENLARGED EUROPEAN UNION London and Sterling, VA: Earthscan, 2006.374 pp. Price: UK £24.95. ISBN: 9781844073511.Reviewed by: MARCTE PARKER*For anyone with a global perspective on families and an understanding of the importance of demographic trends as they impact the future, this is an important new. Lutz is leader of the World Population Program at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis or HAS A and Director of the Vienna Institute of Demography; Richter is Professor of Sociology and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Vienna and Wilson in Senior Research Scholar at TTASA. The book is not only edited by leading demographers and sociologists but is also made up of contributions from well-respected researchers in the fields of population and society from many different parts of Europe. Presented are the results of over five years of research by the European Observatory on the Social Situation, Demography and the Family.This publication, which is very dense and rich, is based on articles and contributions presented during the closing conference of the European Observatory on Demography, the Social Situation and Family that took place from September 27-28, 2004. The Observatory was entirely funded by the European Commission. As the Editors explain, Europe today is characterized by aging populations, changing family practices and patterns, sharply dropping fertility rates and mass migrations. These rapidly accelerating trends have huge implications for social structures, healthcare systems, pensions, housing, transportation, family relations, employment and more.The New Generations of Europeans assesses with it means to be a citizen of the new European Union, which just this past January added Romania and Bulgaria to its ranks and which Turkey is eager to join. European leaders and decision makers have many important demographic, social and economic issues to face in light of the changes which are occurring. Part I of the book consists of an introduction and overview as well as the social situation in the European Union, 2004. Part II looks at fertility trends in an enlarged European Union, including low fertility and the scope for social policy, childbearing behavior in the new EU Member States, and alternative paths for future European fertility and whether the birth rate will recover or continue to decline. Part III focuses on family forms and the young generation in an Enlarged Union [Europe's coming generations and the influence of the past; youth transitions and family support in a transforming social context with reflections from the New Member States; and family forms and the young generation in the New Europe with a look at future trends and scenarios]. Part IV looks at migration developments in an Enlarged European Union [migration, migrants and their families in the EU15 Member States; international migration patterns in the new EU Member States; and the future European Union facing migration]. Part V focuses on family and health in an Enlarged European Union [family and health; the Polish health system in Europe: its situation, reforms and challenges; and issues for the future of health care in an enlarged EU]. Part VI parses out the challenges ahead for the European Union [e.g., civic society and the family and the formation of social capital in Europe, as well as Europe's future generations and closing thoughts].The book also includes a 3-page list of acronyms used throughout, over one hundred graphs, charts and tables, and a full discussion of how numerous, how fertile and how longlived the new generations of European citizens might be. The overall theme of the book looks at the state of families, immigration, and health and what challenges might be posed for maintaining social cohesion in light of all these changes. As the Editors point out, one crucial over-arching question is how demographic changes will impact Europe's socioeconomic infrastructure. …