Transition to the new partnership formation pattern in Lithuania, Russia and France: different paths to convergence?

Vlada Stankuniene, Institute for Social Research (ISR), Vilnius
Sergei V Zakharov, State University-Higher School of Economics
Mare Baublyte, Institute for Social Research
Ausra Maslauskaite, Demographic Research Center, Lithuania
Arnaud Régnier-Loilier, Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)

Since the end of 20 c. demographic development of industrial countries has been marked by significant family changes and transition to a new partnership formation pattern. Regardless of common features manifestation level of family changes varies in different countries. Post-communist countries are frequently opposed to western countries. By this however, significant differences between CEE countries are flattened. The aim of the paper is to reveal, on the basis of GGS findings, specifics in partnership formation strategies in the countries, which were representing, for a long time, the opposite poles of the demographic, cultural, political and historical development. These countries according to marriage pattern were placed on the opposite sides of Hajnal’s St. Petersbourg-Triest line. Matrimonial behaviour in them were influenced in different ways by dominant religion and processes of seculiarisation. The long-decade political-economic advancement was making different prerequisites for options in the choice of individual life paths and demographic behaviour.