Past and present patterns of family formation in Eastern Europe: Does Hajnal’s delineation still matter?

Abstract

This article explores the link between historical and contemporary patterns of family formation. The theoretical underpinnings of the study were derived from Hajnal’s theory of historical nuptiality regimes in Europe. In general, the results suggest that all countries in the region share a common vector of changes in partnership formation, but at the same time the onset and advancement of these changes varies. The changes
started earlier and have advanced further in countries that had experienced the western European marriage pattern in the past, and they began later and are less advanced in the countries with the historical eastern European marriage pattern.