Contemporary French Society

CONTEMPORARY LANGUAGE STUDIES GENERAL EDITOR: Professor F. M. Willis, University of Bradford Based on an original plan, this series is a new venture, in publishing for modern language students, and aims to promote the interdisciplinary study of language and of the sociocultural context in which language is used and evolves. Its predominant concern at present is with French studies, and this governs the selection of themes. At the outset, however, the programme provides for a general text on linguistics designed for students not only of French but of other European languages also. The books are of an introductory nature and devised, with appropriate adjustments in each case, on the following general plan: • • • a seetion, in English, with chapters of description and analysis illustrative texts, in French, at the end of each chapter, and bearing direct1y on it a section, in French and English, oflinguistic exercises followed by bibliographical guidance The series is addressed to all who are concerned with the study of France and its language, and is of special value to two broad categories: 1. 2. Modem language students who are engaged in a new discipline (e.g. economics, politics, business studies) involving new concepts and requiring them to acquire a new technical lexis and a new style of writing or speech. Students of social sciences and business studies taking a modern language course requiring application of the principles or theory already acquired in their primary discipline. PUBLISHED Linguistics tor Language Learners. by Anthony F. Hartley Contemporary French Society by Linda Hantrais IN PREPARATION The Contemporary French Economy by Graeme M.Holmes and Peter D. Fawcett Contemporary French Politics by Malcolm Slater Contemporary French Society Linda Hantrais M © Linda Hantrais 1982 Softcover reprint ofthe hardcover 1st edition 1982978-0-333-28062-1 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without permission. First published 1982 by THE MACMILLAN PRESS LTD Landan and Basingstake Campanies and representatives thraughaut the warld ISBN 978-0-333-28063-8 ISBN 978-1-349-86105-7 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-1-349-86105-7 Typeset in Great Britain by Multiplex techniques ltd, Orpington, Kent The paperback edition of this book is sold subject to the condition that it sha1l not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher's prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than in which it is published and without a similar condition inc1uding this condition being imposed on the sub se quent purchaser. Contents List of Tables List of Figures Acknowledgements General Editor's Foreword vii viii ix x 1 Introduction 1 2 Demographie Features Population size and growth Contemporary demographie trends and population structure Geographical distribution and migratory movements Oecupational mobility and socio-eeonomie structure 5 8 17 22 26 28 28 Bibliographieal guidanee Illustrative texts and linguistic exercises Textes Exercices de comparaison et d 'application 40 TheFamily The evolution of the family Marriage Divoree Family-building Changing roles within the family Family models and social eategories 43 47 49 51 53 61 Bibliographical guidance Illustrative texts and linguistic exercises Textes Exercices de comparaison et d'application 5 63 64 64 77 42 vi 3 CONTENTS Social Welfare The concept of social security Social security in France Social security benefits National solidarity Bibliographical guidance Illustrative tex