Between acceptance and rejection: young Europeans’ ambivalent relationship with the procreative norm

This paper analyses the representations and expectations of young adults (18–30 years old) regarding family planning and reproduction, in 8 European countries: Albania, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Slovenia and Switzerland. Based on semi-structured interviews, we examine how this generation navigates between the desire to emancipate themselves from the procreative norm – which we understand as the set of conditions socially considered favourable to parenthood – and its reproduction. Our findings highlight a strong generational ambivalence among young Europeans towards this norm, which they describe as increasingly rigid in some aspects, yet more flexible in others. Furthermore, while they aspire to greater social freedom in terms of parenthood, they find it difficult to imagine themselves in non-traditional family structures. The article highlights how these dynamics vary according to the demographic and legislative contexts specific to each country. Overall, this paper highlights a model of citizenship in which the family remains central, yet increasingly open to diverse forms. It reflects a moment of social transition, demonstrating the importance of policy implications in favour of more inclusive and diverse family models in young people's parental perspectives.