Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 80 No. 2, 2010.
Preliminary communication
The Importance of Marriage and the Family in Croatian Society. An Analysis of Basic Indicators from 1999 to 2008
Krunoslav Nikodem
; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Pero Aračić
; Catholic Faculty of Theology in Djakovo, University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer, Đakovo, Croatia
Ivo Džinić
; Catholic Faculty of Theology in Djakovo, University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer, Đakovo, Croatia
Abstract
This article is based on a comparative analysis of the results of an international empirical survey - The European Value Study (EVS)for 1999 & 2008. Analysing various topics relating to marriage and family life and the importance of marriage and the family, generally in the lives of those surveyed, the significance of children for a happy personal and family life and the question of free choice for single parenting and the question of accepting alternative forms of two people living together. The article analyses the perception of the role of the Church in the context of the situation of marriage and the family in Croatia - that is - the perception of its engagement for the good of that institution and its adequacy to respond to various problems and difficulties in marital relations and family life. Comparing the results of the EVS survey for 1999 with the results of the same survey in 2008 it is easy to recognise the changes that occurred with regard to the institution of marriage and the family which is primarily reflected in the diminishing number of those surveyed who highly value marriage and the family as a fundamental institution as well as certain changes in attitude towards topics relating to marital and family life, e.g. valuing free choice for single parenting. The conclusion points out some social consequences of these changes as well as some elements that should be noticed for the purpose of further development and appropriate pastoral practise in the Church.
Keywords
marriage and family; subjectivisation; individualisation; outdated institution; children; single parenting; the Church
Hrčak ID:
56249
URI
Publication date:
19.7.2010.
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