Changing Attitudes toward Family Issues in Argentina, 1980-2000

Georgina Binstock, Centro de Estudios de Población
Marcela Cerrutti, Centro de Estudios de Población

Using data from the World Values Survey (WVS) from the early 80s to mid-90s, this paper examines trends in Argentineans' values and beliefs towards family issues, including marriage, sex, divorce, abortion, childbearing and childrearing paying particular attention to gender differences. The period under study coincides with dramatic changes in the economy and the labor market, as well as in family behaviors. Our results show that there have been important shifts on family attitudes, with a significant increase in tolerance to divorce, abortion, single parenthood, and sexual freedom. At the same time, there is a high and increasing positive views towards marriage, and the need for kids to be raised in intact families. These shifts in the value system are not due to socioeconomic changes experienced by the population over the period under study and they have not been similar for men and women.