Addressing new research questions using
the Netherlands Kinship Panel Study
Pearl A. DykstraErasmus University Rotterdam
6th International Conference of Panel Data Users in Switzerland
Lausanne, June 8 – 9, 2011
Aat LiefbroerEva-Maria Merz
Trudie KnijnAafke Komter
Claartje Mulder
Matthijs Kalmijn
Pearl Dykstra
Funding:
• Major investments
• Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences
• Participating institutes
New research questions:
• from the start
• as opportunities presented themselves
Three central research questions:
1. nature and strength of family ties, and changes
over time (solidarity)
2. differences: how to explain?
3. differences: implications for individuals, families,
and society
(questions of inequality, cohesion, modernization,
and identity)
26 September 2006
24 January 2007
23 March 2007
6 October 2007
7 December 2007
25 January 2008
Ingrid DoortenThe Division of Unpaid Work in theHousehold: A Stubborn Pattern?
15 September 2008
26 May 2009
26 June 2009
25 September 2009
6 November 2009
12 February 2010
17 May 2010
2 December 2010
8 December 2010
14 January 2011
25 January 2011
New research questions from the start
Netherlands Kinship Panel Study:
A multi-actor,
multi-method, go to
panel study go to
on solidarity in family relationships
Anchor(17<age<80) Current Partner
Children (max. 2) (age>14)
Parent 1
Sibling 1 (age>14)
Parentin-law 1
Sibling n (age>14)Sibling 3
(age>14)Sibling2 (age>14)
Parentin-law 2
Grandparents
Parent 2
Ex-partner
Friend
Family members in the NKPS
Grandchild
Child n (age>14)Child 4
(age>14)Child 3 (age>14)
Multi-actor (1)
Discrepancies in parent’s and child’s reports
(Mandemakers & Dykstra, JMF 2008)
Hypotheses:
• generational stake
• self-enhancement*
• family obligations*
• dissatisfaction*
• relationship quality*
Multi-actor (2)
Intergenerational transmission of kinship norms
(De Vries, Kalmijn & Liefbroer, SSR 2009)
Hypotheses (sibling model)
• direct norm transmission*
• socialization of obedience*
• shared background back
Multi-method (1)
• combination CAPI / CAWI / CATI
• qualitative studies supplementing quantitative
analyses
Multi-method (2)
Selected topics qualitative studies
• black sheep in the family
(Komter, Voorpostel & Pels, JFI 2010)
• non-standard work schedules
(Mills & Täht, JMF 2010)
• ethnicity and intergenerational solidarity
(Schans & Komter, JAS forthcoming)
• young and late parenthood
(Rijken & Knijn, DR 2009)
• etc. back
Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3
Year 2002-04 2006-07 2010-11
N (main sample) 8161 6026 4390
Response 45% 74% 73%
Method
CAPI 100% 95% 18%
CATI 3% * 27% **
CAWI 1% * 55% **
* option only at later stage; ** option from the start
New research questions as opportunities
presented themselves
• collaboration with historians
• record linkage
• Generations and Gender Programme
Historical Sample of the Netherlands (HSN)
• life history information taken from population
registers (a.o. fertility, residential, employment)
• HSN: cohorts ≤ 1922
• NKPS: cohorts ≥ 1923
• span past and present
E.g.: Long-term changes in the living arrangements
of children in the Netherlands
Van Gaalen & Van Poppel, JFI 2009
Changes in privacy regulations
• linkage of survey data with registry information
(via NCBS)
• in wave 2: 93% of respondents provided
permission for linkage
• 99% of respondents identified in registers
• registry information: a.o. social security benefits,
taxable income, health care usage
E.g. Family care and public care. Schenk, Dykstra,
& Maas, A & S forthcoming
NKPS: model for GGP (PAU –UNECE)
• GGP is successor of Family & Fertililty Surveys
• 20 countries participating at present
• combination of survey and contextual data
• wave 1 data currently available for 11 countries
• NKPS = Dutch GGP
New questions
• how are interactions in families shaped
by welfare state provisions?
• can our theoretical paradigms be
transplanted to Eastern Europe?
• are social trends characterized by
convergence?
In conclusion, the NKPS
• has put Dutch family scholars on the academic map
• has been a training ground for young scholars
• serves as a source of information for policy makers
• exemplifies that families are about both the young
and the old