Article,

The evolution of secularization: cultural transmission, religion and fertility—theory, simulations and evidence

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Journal of Population Economics, 26 (3): 1129-1174 (2013)http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00148-011-0401-9. (ISSP).
DOI: 10.1007/s00148-011-0401-9

Abstract

This study presents an evolutionary process of secularization assuming that cultural/social/religious norms (in particular the âeuro religious taste for childrenâeuro(TM)) are transmitted from one generation to the next via two venues: (i) direct socializationâeuroäcross generations, by parents; and (ii) oblique socializationâeuro"within generations, by the cultural environment. The paper integrates a theoretical model, simulations and an empirical estimation, that lead to the following main findings: (i) direct religious socialization efforts of one generation have a negative effect on secularization within the next generation; (ii) oblique socialization by the community has a parabolic effect on secularization; and (iii) the two types of socialization are complementary in âeuro producingâeuro(TM) religiosity in the next generation.PUBLICATION ABSTRACT

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