Models of the family in modern societies: ideals and realities

Hakim, a senior research fellow in the Department of Sociology at the London School of Economics, reports on the results of two comparative, nationally representative surveys of men and women in two countries chosen to illustrate the diversity of modern European societies: Britain and Spain. She examines the ideal models of the family and family roles in both countries, touching on work orientations, patriarchal values, and lifestyle preferences, and shows how these factors impact on women's marital histories, fertility, employment patterns, and labor mobility.