Demography, Family

Family demography is the study of various types of families in terms of their composition, structures, [Page 634]and how individuals make transitions into and out of the family. Demographers also study the causes and consequences of these various family types, the family processes through which interpersonal interactions are created and regulated, as well as the ways that resources are generated and distributed. The role of education in family demography is complex. The relationship between education and family processes is often bidirectional. On the one hand, individuals' educational progress brings about particular social and economic behaviors that may result in the forming of families with certain compositions and transitions. On the other hand, different family compositions and transitions could alter the resources available to children within ...