How do gender and gender roles influence decisions about parenthood? Can both low and high fertility rates be explained by (in)equality between the sexes and contemporary understandings of motherhood and fatherhood? What trends can we observe in Europe, and what is specific to Serbia?
These are the questions addressed in the book Low Fertility Rates and Gender Roles: Theoretical Framework and Practical Challenges (Belgrade, IDN, 2022) by Ankica Šobot, which serves as the which serves as the starting point for this conversation for this discussion.
Numerous factors influence the low birth rates observed across European countries — from economic insecurity and changes in social, cultural, and religious norms related to family, to the growing importance of education and individual self-fulfillment. Within all these dimensions, the gender aspect plays a crucial role, making this topic highly relevant both scientifically and socially.
For a long time, sociological research into low fertility focused primarily on women. Today, as this book demonstrates, birth rates cannot be understood without examining the changing roles of women, the new roles of men, and the dynamics of their relationships as parents. We will also discuss examples of public policies addressing gender equality and fertility stimulation, as well as the preconditions for their effective implementation.
In addition to the author, the speakers will include Prof. Mirjana Bobić, Full Professor at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, and Dr Dragan Stanojević, Assistant Professor at the same faculty.
Ankica Šobot is a Research Associate at the Centre for Demographic Research, Institute of Social Sciences (Belgrade). In her work, she combines sociology and demography with feminist theoretical approaches, focusing on low fertility and gender equality, and the interrelation between the two.
She also researches older populations, education, demographic structures, families and households, as well as youth. She is the author of the monograph Gender Inequality in Serbia – A Demographic Perspective (2014), and co-author of the book Demographic Profile of the Young Population in Serbia (2025), based on the latest Population Census data, which includes a gender perspective on marriage, childbearing, and parenthood among youth. She is also the guest editor of the upcoming thematic issue “Population, Gender Equality and Public Policies: Current Issues and Proposed Solutions” of the journal Stanovništvo (Population).
The series “Book Talks at the Institute of Social Sciences – Let’s Talk About…” is dedicated to publications issued by the Institute. Through discussions with authors, we explore the findings of their research, place the topic of the book within a broader scientific context, and highlight its relevance to society and public policy.
The series is edited by Dr Irena Ristić (IDN).