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Origins and implications of family structure across Italian provinces in historical perspective

Number: 94
Year: 2016
Author(s): Graziella Bertocchi, Monica Bozzano
In this study we review the literature on the origins and implications of family structure in historical perspective with a focus on Italian provinces. Furthermore we present newly- collected data on three of the main features of family structure: female mean age at marriage, the female celibacy rate, and the fraction of illegitimate births. The data are collected at the provincial level for 1871, the year of Italy's political unification. The analysis of the data allows us to confirm and quantify the geographic differentiation in family patterns across the country. We also illustrate the links between family structure and a set of socio-economic outcomes, in the short, medium, and long run.

Graziella Bertocchi
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia; Centre for Economic Policy Research; Dondena Centre for Research on Social Dynamics and Public Policy, Bocconi University; Institute for the Study of Labor

 

Monica Bozzano
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

 

Language: English

 

The paper may be downloaded here.

 

Keywords: Family structure,Italian provinces,institutions,culture,development