Biological reproduction of family farms: From the rural gender regime perspective

Abstract

Depopulation and ageing are long-lasting problems of Serbian rural areas. In terms of demographic self-renewal of rural areas, especially family farms, the issue of resource base for biological reproduction is of great importance. Quantity and quality of resource base are determined by the characteristics of rural social vitality as well as rural gender regime. Thus, factors of women`s participation in biological reproduction of family farms have been analyzed. The analysis was based on a sample of 1,096 family farms in Vojvodina. Vojvodina is considered relevenat for the analysis due to the significant rural depopulation and ageing. The results have confirmed concept of rural gender regimes to be an adequate scheme to explore the basic characteristics of the women`s participation in biological reproduction on family farms. Bio-demographic and socio-cultural factors have stronger impact on women`s participation in biological reproduction than than socio-economic ones. Mariage is proven to be the most significant predictor of women`s participation in biological reproduction, regardlesly to farm type. Also, results have proven nuptiality and fertility postponement among women living on family farms. It can be concluded that women`s participation in biological reproduction of family farms occurs under the influence of partially modified rural gender regime.