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Ultra-low fertility, gender equity and policy considerations

Edward Jow-Ching Tu (Division of Social Sciences, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China)
Yuruo Yan (Institute of Population Studies, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, China)
Jiaying Zhao (Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia)

Asian Education and Development Studies

ISSN: 2046-3162

Article publication date: 10 April 2017

320

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the issue and the reasons why fertility patterns in many industrialized and post-industrialized societies decline so rapidly, primarily in newly industrialized countries, particularly in East Asia, and especially after the countries have adopted the capitalist and market economy as the preferred approach to improve the lives of their population.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors discuss gender equality and the relationship between fertility and female labor force participation in industrialized and post-industrialized countries, in the context of role incompatibility, mainly for women and the level of the strength and rigidity of family- and gender-role norms/attitudes that affect the behaviors of men and women.

Findings

The existing family-related policies and programs which have reduced the role conflict and incompatibility experienced by working mothers are reviewed and discussed under national orientations toward the resolution of work–family conflict since they could affect the relevance, acceptance, significance and effectiveness of policies being developed and approved to carry on under institutional context within a nation.

Originality/value

Specific strategies and policies to reduce role incompatibility and childcare arrangements and their costs are discussed, especially for East Asian nations.

Keywords

Citation

Tu, E.J.-C., Yan, Y. and Zhao, J. (2017), "Ultra-low fertility, gender equity and policy considerations", Asian Education and Development Studies, Vol. 6 No. 2, pp. 112-124. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEDS-02-2016-0016

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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