Dr. Mikolaj Szoltysek and Priv.-Doz. Dr. Sabine R. Huebner (Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, GER) – 36th annual meeting of the Social Science History Association

Time: 17.11.2011-20.11.2011
Venue: Boston, Massachusetts
Deadline: 15.02.2011

The use of scientific samples of census data that are comparable across space and time is revolutionizing research into demography, economics, and family history. Among the many issues discussed in association with these new developments in data infrastructure, the questions of who lives with whom, and for what reasons, remain central. Variations in components of the co-resident domestic groups are often considered the most crucial indicators of diversity in family systems. Diversity in people’s living arrangements reflects a variety of preferable or achievable residential patterns, and likely indicates differential notions regarding the way obligations to kin from outside the immediate family are structured. The study of residence patterns not only contributes to a better understanding of household composition; it is also of primary importance in explaining demographic outcomes. As recent research suggests, domestic groups formed according to stem- and joint-family rules would make for different fertility outcomes.
Moreover, these groups may perform welfare functions towards their members on a different basis, and may cope with economic hardships in a different manner (Gruber and Szoltysek 2010).
 
With this research perspective in mind, we would like to invite you to take part in a scientific panel „In the Bosom of the Family? Aging and the elderly in joint- and stem families“ we are organizing at this year’s meeting of the Social Science History Association in Boston, Massachusets. The 2011 conference will be held in downtown Boston, at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers in Boston. The theme for this year’s conference is „Generation to Generation“.
The organizers encourage a wide range of submissions, chronologically, geographically, and in terms of methodology. Prof. Monica Das Gupta has agreed to act as discussant for the papers in this session.

The deadline for submission of proposals is February 15, 2011. If you are interested, please contact us by email and provide your name and affiliation, e-mail address, title of the paper, and a short abstract.
Contact: szoltysek@demogr.mpg.de, sabine.r.huebner@gmail.com