We will review existing knowledge on family and fertility change and on variation in family attitudes and behavior between women and men and among members of different race/ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural groups. We will use the reviews to identify areas in which important progress can be made through new analyses, data collection, and methodologies. We will explore new ways to use existing data and new methods for studying family and fertility change to advance understanding of causal relationships. Commissioned papers and pilot projects will inform recommendations for future research and data collection on family and fertility change. The project identifies eight areas for intensive study through a coordinated set of working groups with intersecting memberships and synchronized work schedules. To advance scientific understanding of family change, we adopt a strategy of routine and open consultation with researchers in multiple disciplines.
