This volume investigates the extent to which shifting cultural and moral values drive the global transition from large extended families to smaller nuclear family structures. Editor Richard Leete compiles a series of academic contributions that analyze the fertility transition across diverse international contexts. By integrating theoretical frameworks with empirical data, the text argues that demographic shifts cannot be understood through economic factors alone but require a deep examination of changing societal norms and belief systems.

Experts recognize this volume as a significant contribution to the study of demographic transitions, particularly for its focus on the intersection of sociology and population dynamics. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a foundational resource for researchers interested in the cultural drivers of family planning.