Profound demographic and socioeconomic transformations in Asia in the second half of the 20th century have significantly affected Asian families (Quah, 2009). Despite significant variation across Asian countries in the nature and intensity of these changes, major trends can be identified to include an increase of nuclear families, a decline in fertility and mortality rates, delayed marriages (Jones, 2007), a rise in female education and labor force participation (Tsuya & Bumpass, 2004), increased internal and international migration, and globalization (United Nations Statistics Division, 2010; World Bank, 2001, 2010). Apart from the scope of changes, the speed at which these changes have occurred has shaken up many old systems and ideologies.
From ARI co-organized workshop “Fatherhood in 21st Century: Research, Interventions, and Policies”, 17-18 June 2010.
