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The Fertility Transition in the Non-Maori Population of New Zealand

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

A. V. Zodgekar
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology and Social Work, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

Summary

This investigation traces the evolution of non-Maori fertility in New Zealand from 1860 to the mid-1970s. The fertility transition took place in four distinct stages, and socio-demographic factors of differing importance in fertility are suggested. During the period 1860–80, an initial decline in fertility was achieved by postponing the age of marriage. The second stage, of increasing control over fertility within marriage and postponement of marriage, ended gradually by the 1910s. Between the world wars and until the 1950s, fertility control within marriage became more universal. Finally, from the 1960s, fertility has declined as a result of many complex changes in social and economic spheres, the major social change with demographic implications being undoubtedly the new rolesof women.

This paper also deals with the changing pattern of fertility by using both the period and cohort rates of fertility.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1980

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