Roman-Catholicism and Fertility in the Netherlands

Demographic Aspects of Minority Status

Bibliographic Data

ID4881147
AuthorsF Van Heek (corresponding author)
Year1956
Volume10
Issue2
Pages125
Publication date1956-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePopulation Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0032-4728 • E-ISSN: 1477-4747
PublisherJSTOR (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/2172321
OpenAlexW2313024121
LanguageEN
Citations received21

The Netherlands has birthrates that are higher than those of other Western European Countries; the religious factor has conributed to the high birthrate. In Holland the fertility of Roman Catholics is 45% above that of Dutch Reformed Church members and 15% above that of the Calvinists. There are serious differences between the outlook of Dutch Roman Catholics and that of Catholics in other countries. The former are aggressive characterized by a strong and combative communal organization and a strong religious elan. Dutch Catholics have a strong political party of their own and there is a conviction among Catholics that they will someday be in the majority. Large families are no longer encouraged by the Dutch Catholic clergy without consideration of medical and social factors of family life. However the church encourages attitudes that are strong incentives for high birthrates

Fertility · Political science · Population · Sociology · Demography · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Gender Studies · History · Reproductive Health and Contraception

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