The main focal point of our research is to understand the so far hesitant diffusion of informal unions in Italy. Previous studies have pointed to different explanations for that development. As described in Chapter 2, several studies have found, for instance, that unfavorable structural conditions are responsible for a postponement of events related to the transition to adulthood (Holdsworth and Irazoqui Solda 2002, Aassve et al. 2000; Rossi 1997). Other studies show that parents play a decisive role when young adults decide between a traditional living arrangement, such as marriage, and a modern one, such as cohabitation (Reher 1998; Rosina and Fraboni 2004; Di Giulio and Rosina 2007). In the previous chapter, we subsumed these possible hampering factors under the concept of formal and informal institutions.
Bearing in mind that for a long time informal unions were rare in Italy and that this kind of living arrangement started to spread only recently, we are interested in investigating the reasons for that particular pace of acceptance. Are the prevailing formal and informal institutions the main cause of that development? Or might a different meaning attached to cohabitation and marriage be responsible for this pace too? Our findings will also contribute to the ongoing discussion on Italy as a latecomer to the second demographic transition. If prevailing formal and informal institutions were responsible for the hesitant diffusion of cohabitation,
a change in these institutions (e.g. a relaxation of the labor market or the development of a positive evaluation of cohabitation in society) might lead to an increase of non-marital unions. In this case, Italy would truly follow the path toward a second demographic transition. However, if different meanings attached to cohabitation and marriage were responsible for the slow development of non-marital unions, marriage would keep its central place even though conditions to form an informal union improved. In this case, predictions of the second demographic transition approach would not hold.
Actually, little is known about the way these factors – that is, formal and informal institutions as well as perceptions and meaning attached to union formation – influence young adults when they are about to decide on cohabitation. As most studies rely on a quantitative research design only, they are not able to shed light on the motivations of young adults when entering cohabitation or marriage. Furthermore, existing studies fail to highlight the whole spectrum of factors that might influence the choice of an informal union.
In order to overcome these limitations and to shed light on the phenomenon of cohabitation in Italy to the greatest possible extent, our research objective is twofold:
First, we want to measure the occurrence of cohabitation and the extent to which factors such as employment, education, region, and social origin influence the transition to cohabitation as compared to direct marriage in Italy. To do so we use the Indagine longitudinale sulle famiglie italiane (ILFI) of 1997 and 1999. As we are interested in the impact of factors that may change over time – among others, education and occupation – we employ event history techniques.
Secondly, we aim at investigating the process of decision-making about cohabitation in more detail. To that end, we employ qualitative research methods and conduct semi-structured, in-depth interviews. As the regions of Italy show differing paces in the diffusion of informal unions, we are particularly interested in the reason for these unequal developments. Thus, based on theoretical assumptions and previous studies, we pay particular attention to the question: To what extent do institutional conditions, economic constraints, and cultural ideas influence individual decision-making for cohabitation in the North and South of Italy?
Institutional conditions and economic constraints refer to factors such as the welfare state structure of the country, the high rates of youth unemployment, and tight housing – thus on formal institutions. Previous studies have shown that all these factors cause a remarkable delay in the transition to adulthood (Billari 2004; Aassve et al. 2000; Rossi 1997).
With respect to cultural ideas, we are interested in motivations, norms, and values impacting the entry into cohabitation – thus in informal institutions. Among other things, we focus especially on the influence of the family of origin on young adults’ choices for cohabitation. Researchers so far have assumed that traditionally strong family ties between parents and their adult children have been responsible for the slow spread of extra-marital unions (Reher 1998; Di Giulio and Rosina 2007; Rosina and Fraboni 2004). We hypothesize that both the weakness of the Italian welfare state and the unfavorable conditions of the labor market reinforce the power parents have on decisions of their adult children. Thus, we aim at investigating whether and how parents influence young adults’ choices for cohabitation.
Furthermore, as regards the influence of cultural ideas,5 we want to clarify whether and to
what extent additional factors impact the choice for cohabitation, among them Catholic beliefs, friends’ opinions toward cohabitation, and gender inequalities between the couple. Earlier research found, for instance, that cohabiters tend to have higher degrees of autonomy and that they share domestic duties more equally than married couples (Sabbadini 1997; Zanatta 2003). Consequently, the role behavior of cohabiting couples appears to be quite different from that of formal unions. Nonetheless, there seem to be traditional behavioral patterns and norms that are more or less binding for individuals in both kinds of unions. The rite of a Catholic wedding seems to be of importance not only for couples who proceed directly to marriage, but also for cohabiters.
Accordingly, as a further point, we are interested in the transition from cohabitation to marriage. The actual transition might be a sequential decision or a decision that was taken even before entering cohabitation. As in Italy, couples tend to pass to marriage especially when giving birth to a child (Billari and Kohler 2005; Pérez and Livi-Bacci 1992; Golini
5 Within sociological and anthropological studies different concepts of culture coexist. In his paper on ”A
Theory of Culture for Demography” Hammel (1990) makes a distinction between culture as content, culture as identifier, culture as pattern, culture as expression and culture as a negotiated set of understandings. Whereas some concepts emphasize the active role of individuals within society, other approaches take passive behaviour as a basis.
1999), we shall pay particular attention to the motivations behind the choice to enter into marriage after having experienced cohabitation. So we aim to gain further insights into the interrelationship between cohabitation, childbirth, and marriage. Moreover, we concentrate on the commonalities and/or differences that might persist in the meaning, perception, and expectations of cohabitation and marriage. Again, our aim is to contrast the situations in the North and the South.