Second Demographic Transition (SDT)
Project
This project examines the Second Demographic Transition (SDT) in the U.S. Regional patterns and trends are documented for key indicators of the SDT, including marriage and fertility postponement and rising cohabitation rates. This project also looks at correlates with ideational changes, in particular in politics and religion.
Researchers
Ron Lesthaeghe, Ph.D
Professor Emeritus, Free University of Brussels
Lisa Neidert, Ph.D
Lecturer, Sociology, University of Michigan
Training
Ph.D training opportunities at the Population Studies Center are available related to this research.
Visuals
Comparison of maps and cartograms
Presidential vote in 2008 (map)
Presidental vote in 2008 (cartogram)
Presidential vote in 2004 (map)
Presidential vote in 2004 (cartogram)
Marriage Postponement/Fertility component of SDT (map)
Marriage Postponement/Fertility component of SDT (cartogram)
Cohabitation component of SDT (map)
Cohabitation component of SDT (cartogram)
Vulnerable young mothers and children factor (map)
Vulnerable young mothers and children factor (cartogram)
Publications:
R. Lesthaeghe and A. Lopez-Gay. 2012. "Structural and Cultural Synergisms in Successive Behavioral Innovations: A Comparative Analysis of Two Demographic Transitions in the Regions of Spain and Belgium, 1880-2010." Unpublished Draft, January 2012.
A. Esteve, R. Lesthaeghe, and A. Lopez-Gay. 2011. "The Latin American Cohabitation Boom, 1970-2007." Unpublished Draft, November 2011.
R. Lesthaeghe (2010). "The Unfolding Story of the Second Demographic Transition." Paper to be presented at the Conference on Fertility in the History of the 20th Century - Trends, Theories, Public Discourse, and Policies, January 21-23, 2010, Berlin.
R. Lesthaeghe (2009). "Long term spatial continuities in demographic innovations - Insights from the Belgian example, 1946-2000." Unpublished Draft (May 1, 2009).
R. Lesthaeghe and L. Neidert (2009). "US Presidential Elections and the Spatial Pattern of the Second Demographic Transition." Population and Development Review 35 (June): 391-400.
R. Lesthaeghe and L. Neidert (2008). "Voting and Families: America's Second Demographic Transition" New Geography, December 11. 2008
R. Lesthaeghe and L. Neidert (2007). "The Political Significance of the Second Demographic Transition in the US - A Spatial Analysis." Paper presented at the annual meetings of the Population Association of America, March 28-31, 2007, New York, New York. (ppt)
Appendix for R. Lesthaeghe and L. Neidert (2006). "The Second Demographic Transition in the United States: Exception or Textbook Example?" Population and Development Review 32 (December): 669-698.
R. Lesthaeghe and L. Neidert (2005). "The Second Demographic Transition in the US: Spatial Patterns and Correlates." (map 1) (map 2) (map 3) (map 4) (This is an early draft of an article that was subsequently published in Population and Development Review.)
R. Lesthaeghe and L. Neidert (2006). "The 'Second Demographic Transition' in the U.S.: Spatial Patterns and Correlates." PSC Research Report No. 06-592. March 2006. (This is an early draft of an article that was subsequently published in Population and Development Review.)
R. Lesthaeghe, L. Neidert and J. Surkyn (2006). "Household Formation and the Second Demographic Transition in Europe and the US: Insights from Middle Range Models."
R. Lesthaeghe and J. Surkyn (2004). "When History moves on: the Foundations and Diffusion of a Second Demographic Transition." Seminar on Ideational Perspectives on International Family Change, Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research (ISR), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, June 2004, 25 p.
R. Lesthaeghe and K. Neels (2002). "From the First to the Second Demographic Transition - An Interpretation of the Spatial Continuity of Demographic Innovation in France, Belgium and Switzerland." European Journal of Population, vol 18(4):225-260.