SubsidieMeestersUntangling the biologic and social causes of low fertility in modern societies
BIOSFER investigates the interplay of social, biological, and psychological factors in modern fertility patterns to develop a novel framework for understanding low and polarized fertility in high-income countries.
Projectdetails
Introduction
High-income countries are experiencing both unprecedentedly low and increasingly polarized fertility with growing social gradients in childbearing. Key theories on fertility patterns are based on the empirical observation that until recently fertility remained comparatively high in gender-egalitarian countries with strong support for families. Since 2010, many of the countries that provided evidence for such theories have reached record-low fertility. This confronts the scientific paradigm of the key drivers of fertility.
Research Objectives
BIOSFER investigates how social, biological, and psychological factors work together to produce the observed patterns, levels, and variation in fertility among young adults. It aims to determine to what extent the fertility decline and the related polarization can be attributed to social vs. biomedical factors.
Methodology
Our multi-theory approach leverages ideas from several disciplines and proposes that the existing theories must be complemented with concepts of:
- Risk aversion and information
- Intergenerational transmission of fecundity
- Epigenetics and beyond
This is necessary in order to understand modern fertility behavior. We develop theoretically informed, falsifiable hypotheses that we test against the two richest population-based longitudinal pregnancy and pubertal cohorts in the world: MoBa in Norway and the DNBC in Denmark.
Approach
We offer a uniquely integrative life-course-based approach that is neither social nor biomedical, but combines central ideas from both. This approach evaluates the biosocial determinants of the key transition points from fetal life through puberty and partnering into:
- Planned childbearing
- Unplanned childbearing
- Partnered childbearing
- Unpartnered childbearing
Areas of Study
We study the social, biomedical, and psychological forces, their interactions, and intergenerational forces as they operate throughout the life-course to produce the modern low-fertility landscape.
Expected Outcomes
The results will help to provide a novel, bio-social framework for understanding the life-course processes that drive contemporary fertility patterns.
Financiële details & Tijdlijn
Financiële details
| Subsidiebedrag | € 14.000.000 |
| Totale projectbegroting | € 14.000.000 |
Tijdlijn
| Startdatum | 1-3-2023 |
| Einddatum | 28-2-2029 |
| Subsidiejaar | 2023 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EVpenvoerder
- FOLKEHELSEINSTITUTTET
- AARHUS UNIVERSITET
Land(en)
Vergelijkbare projecten binnen European Research Council
| Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Peers and Possible Partners: Exploring the Origins of Population Long-term EquilibriaP3OPLE investigates how social and market interactions influence fertility dynamics and childlessness, aiming to provide empirical insights to address reproductive inequalities and promote national prosperity. | ERC Starting... | € 1.105.303 | 2022 | Details |
Diverging patterns of reproductive behavior within countries across the globeThe DIVREP project aims to analyze global disparities in childbearing age and fertility levels within countries, focusing on the impact of socioeconomic inequality on reproductive behavior. | ERC Starting... | € 1.331.375 | 2025 | Details |
Towards a transdisciplinary demographic theory of birth and death trajectoriesThis project aims to innovate fertility modeling by applying mortality theories to create a unified framework for understanding birth and death trajectories across social sciences. | ERC Consolid... | € 2.000.000 | 2022 | Details |
Understanding the Demography and Stratification of Singlehood in EuropeSINGLE aims to develop a comprehensive framework for understanding singlehood in Europe by analyzing its prevalence, social stratification, and diverse experiences through demographic and sociological lenses. | ERC Starting... | € 1.497.563 | 2025 | Details |
The PsychoGeography of Intergenerational Mobility: Early life socioeconomic position, mental health, and educational performanceThe GeoGen study aims to explore the impact of socioeconomic status and genetic factors on children's mental health and educational outcomes using comprehensive data from Norway since 1940. | ERC Consolid... | € 2.158.630 | 2022 | Details |
Peers and Possible Partners: Exploring the Origins of Population Long-term Equilibria
P3OPLE investigates how social and market interactions influence fertility dynamics and childlessness, aiming to provide empirical insights to address reproductive inequalities and promote national prosperity.
Diverging patterns of reproductive behavior within countries across the globe
The DIVREP project aims to analyze global disparities in childbearing age and fertility levels within countries, focusing on the impact of socioeconomic inequality on reproductive behavior.
Towards a transdisciplinary demographic theory of birth and death trajectories
This project aims to innovate fertility modeling by applying mortality theories to create a unified framework for understanding birth and death trajectories across social sciences.
Understanding the Demography and Stratification of Singlehood in Europe
SINGLE aims to develop a comprehensive framework for understanding singlehood in Europe by analyzing its prevalence, social stratification, and diverse experiences through demographic and sociological lenses.
The PsychoGeography of Intergenerational Mobility: Early life socioeconomic position, mental health, and educational performance
The GeoGen study aims to explore the impact of socioeconomic status and genetic factors on children's mental health and educational outcomes using comprehensive data from Norway since 1940.