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Le recul du mariage

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  • Michel Forsé

Abstract

[eng] The decline of marriage, both massive and historically unprecedented goes with an important rise of cohabitation, illegitimate births, celibacy and divorces, in fact less and less followed by a remarriage. Thus a marked increase in the number of single-headed families. Is married couple be condemned eventually to disappear ? So far nothing allows to think so. It is more a diversification of conjugal life styles. . Values and norms changes, tending to give the priority to the autonomy of individuals in the couple, and the generalization of the women's work are partly responsable for the decline of marriage. . In fact the meaning of marriage has changed. Traditionnally feelings and institution have been distinct ; marriage standed to assure the stability of couples and to bequeath patrimony. Today couples are founded upon affection but the strong homogamy of married or cohabitant couples are at least as strong as in the past. The patrimonial stakes have simply become more « cultural » and from this point of view the decline of marriage does not alter the bequest and the reproduction of wealth between generations. . The socio-economic consequences are others : a decline of natality, a more stable labor supply, a demand for more dwellings, a welfare system more or less costly according to cases, a loss of tax receipts, etc. but above all the appearance of new life styles which affect consumption patterns. [fre] Le recul du mariage, à la fois massif et inédit dans notre histoire, s'accompagne d'une montée importante du concubinage, des naissances illégitimes, du célibat et des divorces d'ailleurs de moins en moins suivis de remariages. D'où une forte augmentation du nombre des familles monoparentales. Le couple s'en trouve-t-il pour autant condamné à terme ? Rien ne permet de l'affirmer aujourd'hui. Il faut voir là davantage une diversification des modes de vie conjugale. . Les changements de valeurs et de normes, tendant à accorder la priorité à l'autonomie des conjoints au sein du couple, et la généralisation de l'activité professionnelle des femmes sont pour une part responsables de cette désaffection à l'égard du mariage. . Celui-ci a d'ailleurs changé de sens. La tradition dissociait le sentiment de l'institution, il s'agissait d'assurer la stabilité des unions et de régler la transmission patrimoniale. Aujourd'hui les unions se fondent sur l'affection, mais la forte homogamie actuelle des couples mariés ou concubins n'a rien à envier à celle du passé. Les enjeux patrimoniaux sont seulement devenus plus « culturels » et de ce point de vue le recul du mariage ne remet pas en cause la transmission et la reproduction des richesses entre lignées et générations. . Les conséquences socio-économiques sont ailleurs : baisse de la natalité, demande de travail plus stable, de logements plus nombreux, coût supplémentaire ou moindre selon le cas pour la protection sociale, manque à gagner fiscal, etc. et surtout apparition de nouveaux modes de vie qui se traduisent par des changements de modes de consommation.

Suggested Citation

  • Michel Forsé, 1986. "Le recul du mariage," Revue de l'OFCE, Programme National Persée, vol. 16(1), pages 217-234.
  • Handle: RePEc:prs:rvofce:ofce_0751-6614_1986_num_16_1_1068
    DOI: 10.3406/ofce.1986.1068
    Note: DOI:10.3406/ofce.1986.1068
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pierre-Alain Audirac, 1986. "La cohabitation : un million de couples non mariés," Économie et Statistique, Programme National Persée, vol. 185(1), pages 13-33.
    2. Louis Dirn & Denis Stoclet, 1985. "Travail des femmes et structures sociales," Revue de l'OFCE, Programme National Persée, vol. 10(1), pages 83-108.
    3. Gary S. Becker, 1981. "A Treatise on the Family," NBER Books, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc, number beck81-1.
    4. Paul A. Samuelson, 1956. "Social Indifference Curves," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 70(1), pages 1-22.
    5. Guy Desplanques & Michel de Saboulin, 1986. "Mariage et premier enfant : un lien qui se défait," Économie et Statistique, Programme National Persée, vol. 187(1), pages 31-45.
    6. François de Singly, 1982. "Mariage, dot scolaire et position sociale," Économie et Statistique, Programme National Persée, vol. 142(1), pages 7-20.
    7. Pierre-Alain Audirac, 1982. "Cohabitation et mariage : qui vit avec qui ?," Économie et Statistique, Programme National Persée, vol. 145(1), pages 41-59.
    8. Claire Sarma, 1985. "La cohabitation hors mariage : un mode de vie différent ?," Économie et Statistique, Programme National Persée, vol. 179(1), pages 47-52.
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    1. Renate H. Draus, 1988. "Le troisième âge en République fédérale allemande," Revue de l'OFCE, Programme National Persée, vol. 22(1), pages 205-225.

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