Is the South so Different? Italian and Spanish Families in Comparative Perspective

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Abstract
This article analyses family changes in Italy and Spain from 1960 to 1990 and contrasts them with four central/northern European countries. Italy and Spain show extremely rapid family changes, which nevertheless do not lead to a convergence between southern and central/northern families. The particularities of the southern family model are a high degree of cross-generational cohabitation, a high frequency of social contacts and help within kinship, a strong institutionalization of marriage, a low female employment rate in the formal labour market, a low fertility rate and widespread family and child-oriented attitudes. In addition, relations between generations are seen more in terms of obligations than in terms of individual choice. We conclude that the specific economic situation, the particularities of social policies and the family culture in Italy and Spain are important barriers to a further individualization of family relations in these societies.

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