Childbirth and Childcare in Italy

Childbirth in Italy is currently at levels below replacement, and it has been that way for the past two decades.  In order for replacement levels to be achieved, every woman of childbearing age needs to have 2 children.  However, in 2003, the fertility rate in Italy was only 1.26 children per woman.  

Image Courtesy of Thomas Tolstrup

A great deal of childcare has traditionally been provided by grandparents.  However, with more and more women delaying childbirth, grandparents are aging before they can provide this care.  This is forcing employed mothers to seek care from the small number of private childcare sources.  The struggle to  find affordable childcare forces many new mothers out of the work force.                                                       Image Courtesy of Chromatophobe

Once a child reaches the age of three, they can then enter the public education system.  Italy places a great deal of value on early childhood development and socialization, and therefore provides partial day programs for three to six year olds before they enter primary school.  Once they reach six, children enter in to the standardized schooling system.

References:
Andreotti, Alberta.  2006.  “Coping Strategies in a Wealthy City of Northern Italy.”  International Journal of Urban & Regional Research.  30:328-345.
Bono, Emilia Del, Massimiliano Bratti, and Daniela Vuri.  2005.  “New Mothers’ Labour Force Participation in Italy: The Role of Job Characteristics.  LABOUR: Review of Labour Economics & Industrial Relations.  19:79-121.
Furstenberg, Frank F, Anne H. Gauthier, and Liana Sayer.  2004.  “Educational differences in parents’ time with children: Cross-national variations.  Journal of Marriage and Family.  66:1152-1169.
"The World Factbook: Italy."  2009.  Central Intelligence Agency.  Retrieved April 21, 2009. (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/it.html).

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