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Economic Development and Family Structure: from Pater Familias to the Nuclear Family

Author

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  • Luca Pensieroso

    () (Université Catholique de Louvain)

  • Alessandro Sommacal

    () (Department of Economics (University of Verona))

Abstract

We provide a theory of the interaction between intergenerational living arrangements and economic development. We show that, when technical progress is fast enough, the economy experiences a shift from stagnation to growth, there is a transition from coresidence to non-coresidence, and the social status of the elderly tends to deteriorate.

Suggested Citation

  • Luca Pensieroso & Alessandro Sommacal, 2012. "Economic Development and Family Structure: from Pater Familias to the Nuclear Family," Working Papers 29/2012, University of Verona, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ver:wpaper:29/2012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. David de la Croix & Faustine Perrin, 2016. "French Fertility and Education Transition: Rational Choice vs. Cultural Diffusion," Discussion Papers (IRES - Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales) 2016007, Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES).
    2. Luca Pensieroso & Alessandro Sommacal, 2017. "Agriculture to Industry: the End of Intergenerational Coresidence," Working Papers 10/2017, University of Verona, Department of Economics.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Unified Growth Theory; Intergenerational Living Arrangements; Bargaining Power; Family Economics;

    JEL classification:

    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General
    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General

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