THE CULTURE OF CHILDLESSNESS. LOW FERTILITY AND REPRODUCTIVE CHANGES

The book "The Culture of Childlessness. Low Fertility and Reproductive Changes" is a fascinating journey into the depths of contemporary demographic changes. The author, Olga Smalej, analyzes with extraordinary precision the causes and consequences of the low birth rate in Europe, focusing on the phenomenon of deliberate abandonment of procreation. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the demographic challenges facing today's world.

• Comprehensive analysis of fertility changes from a socio-economic perspective
• Combination of approaches from several scientific disciplines and levels of analysis
• Research based on statistical data from the World Bank, OECD, Eurostat and GUS
• Presentation of public opinion on the phenomenon of voluntary childlessness
• Practical implications for decision-makers wishing to influence demographic trends
• Understanding the causes of the low birth rate in Europe
• Analysis of the phenomenon of deliberate abandonment of procreation

The author, Olga Smalej, in her book "The Culture of Childlessness," addresses the extremely important topic of the low birth rate in most European countries. She also focuses on the related changes in the reproductive practices of Europeans. The author pays particular attention to the extreme pattern of behavior consisting of the deliberate abandonment of procreation, i.e., intentional childlessness. The study presents a relatively comprehensive picture of the changes in fertility from a socio-economic perspective, combining approaches from several scientific disciplines and levels of analysis.

The first chapter of the book describes the process of lowering the fertility rate, its determinants, and possible consequences. The second chapter is devoted to the description of childlessness by choice. In the third chapter, based on research conducted by the author, public opinion on the phenomenon of voluntary childlessness is presented. The considerations are theoretical and empirical in nature, based on existing statistical data, including from the World Bank, OECD, Eurostat, and GUS, as well as on primary data, which took the form of a quantitative study (n=1097).

The book "The Culture of Childlessness" is a read that will interest not only specialists from many social science disciplines and decision-makers who would like to influence existing demographic trends, but also a wide range of readers who want to understand their times and the fate of Europe, including Poland. It is a publication that provokes reflection and encourages discussion about the demographic future of our continent. Published by UMCS in 2022, it is a valuable source of knowledge for all those interested in demography and social changes.