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This paper focuses on the demographic implications of alternative peace settlements between Israel and her Arab neighbors. Two sets of demographic issues are discussed: (1) variations in the types of territorial and implied population adjustments that may result from a peace settlement and (2) variations in demographic dynamics of Jewish and Arab populations over the next 30 years. Models based on a range of territorial and population alternatives (from minimum to maximum) illustrate the tradeoffs between territory and proportion Jewish and between population growth and the retention of a Jewish majority in Israel. Although there are many complicated issues involved in reaching a peace agreement in the Middle East, the analysis presented here reveals clearly that demographic issues are part of the context within which decisions have to be made and evaluation of trends undertaken.

We present a model of 19th Century population change in England & Wales. The model highlights contrasting demographic and economic processes in rural and urban sectors as core explanations for rural to urban migration, stemming from labor surpluses in the former and labor shortages in the latter. This massive migration transformed the geographic distribution of the population, in tandem with the economic transformation caused by the Industrial Revolution. We argue that demographic literature on historical population processes in England & Wales in the 19th Century has paid insufficient attention to the role of internal migration.

Building on Davis (1963) and subsequent work, we propose a conceptual framework that provides a guide for the organization of empirical demographic research. Our approach is based on the notion that changes in nuptiality, fertility, and migration are not objectives in and of themselves, but means for reducing welfare gaps—defined as the gaps between actual welfare and that which could be attained with altered demographic and/or other behavior. We clarify theoretical issues concerning three levels of analysis. At the highest level, societal change leads to welfare gaps for families and/or individuals. In turn, behavioral adjustments are made to reduce these gaps. Finally, demographic responses at the community level result when large numbers of families and/or individuals adjust behavior in a particular manner. We consider and exemplify relationships among demographic and other responses in historical, agricultural contexts.

Social workers and residents in areas of political uncertainty are exposed to special demands which derive from three sources, residence in the area, exposure to the anxieties and conflicts of neighbors as clients, and being representatives of the establishment. The results of a survey in 1995 of social workers in Judea/Samaria and the Golan Heights show a positive correlation between feelings of surfeit of political issues and difficulty of coping with the role of social worker and state anxiety. Most of the social workers reported difficulties in role performance resulting from political positions held by themselves, their clients and the local leadership. We conclude with a suggestion for a debriefing team model.

An important line of research concerning historical fertility patterns in currently developed countries of Europe has concluded that, prior to the fertility transition, marital fertility was essentially constant over time, and deliberate fertility control was virtually unknown. It has been argued that variations over time in overall fertility were largely the consequence of variations in nuptiality. Other researchers have challenged these views and present evidence for the existence of a significant minority of fertility controllers in pretransition populations. In this article, we find support for this second view and argue that (1) there was significant, non-random variation in marital fertility over time, prior to the transition; (2) in many cases, this variation in marital fertility was large relative to contemporaneous variations in nuptiality; and (3) in a substantial minority of the cases, the variation over time in pretransition marital fertility was so large that it is suggestive of deliberate fertility control. Thus, our findings question the view of fertility transition as an innovation in deliberate marital fertility control. While most of our evidence is based on data from England and Wales, we find corroboration of our key results in other European data.

Fifty years have passed since the post–World War II development of demography as an academic field. During this time, one of the central focuses of research has been the study of demographic and fertility transitions. The authors reviewa selection of research developments and analytic issues that have appeared in the literature. After presenting, in roughly chronological order, the general development of this research work, they raise questions concerning theory and methodology. In doing so, they argue that some research directions have been overemphasized to the neglect of others.

Understand how multigenerational family relationships can benefit all generations!Intergenerational Relationships: Conversations on Practice and Research Across Cultures focuses on how family and community relationships are affected by pressing social problems. Respected international authorities reveal how cultures from Africa, Asia, the US, and Europe value connections among people of different ages and how these relationships are used to address crucial social problems. Insightful research bridges multiple disciplines to provide a unique perspective demonstrating the benefits of intergenera