The Dynamics of Family Systems: Lessons from Past and Present Times

133 Pages Posted: 12 Mar 2019

See all articles by Catherine Guirkinger

Catherine Guirkinger

University of Namur - Centre de Recherche en Economie du Developpement (CRED)

Jean‐Philippe Platteau

University of Namur

Date Written: March 2019

Abstract

The present paper surveys significant research dealing with some neglected roles of the family and its dynamics in the presence of changes in the economic environment. Attention is thus directed to the response of family systems to changes in resource endowments, outside economic opportunities, the development of markets, and surrounding institutions. Two other original features of our investigation deserve to be emphasized. First, unlike what is generally done in economics, we extensively draw from scholarly works of social scientists, family historians in particular. Second, in order to shed light on family dynamics in present-day developing countries, we assess the state of knowledge about the transformation of family patterns in Europe during a long period stretching back to the early Middle Ages and even earlier.

Suggested Citation

Guirkinger, Catherine and Platteau, Jean‐Philippe, The Dynamics of Family Systems: Lessons from Past and Present Times (March 2019). CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP13570, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3350347

Catherine Guirkinger (Contact Author)

University of Namur - Centre de Recherche en Economie du Developpement (CRED) ( email )

Rue de Bruxelles 61
Namur, 5000
Belgium

Jean‐Philippe Platteau

University of Namur ( email )

8 rempart de la vierge
Namur, 5000
Belgium

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