Religion and fertility in the Outer Hebrides
Clegg, E.J.; Cross, J.F.
Journal of Biosocial Science 27(1): 79-94
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-9320 PMID: 7876298 DOI: 10.1017/s0021932000007021Document Number: 289663
Fertility-related data from 1855-1985 were analyzed to compare estimates of fertility in the most southern island of the Outer Hebrides, Barra, with those of an area of the most northern island called Harris. The predominate religion in Barra was Protestant and that in Harris was Catholic. The latter part of the 19th century and/or early 20th century witnessed an increased growth in the numbers of children aged 0-4 years (1916-1925 for Harris and 1896-1905 for Barra), of women in the reproductive period of life (peaking in 1901 for Harris and in 1922 for Barra), and in number of births per decade (1861-1901 for Harris and Barra). Thereafter, these numbers fell consistently in both islands until relatively recently. Marital fertility tended to be higher and illegitimate fertility tended to be lower in both islands than in Scotland as a whole. In Barra during 1966-1975, marked increases in all indices occurred (e.g., total fertility = 0.430 vs. 0.210 in 1956-1965 and 0.167 in 1976-1985). Illegitimate fertility increased the least (0.016-0.110). The release of the 1968 papal encyclical Humanae Vitae reaffirming the strong traditional Catholic attitudes towards family limitation, may have contributed to this temporary rise in fertility. Further examination suggests that it may have played a limited role, since the first increase in numbers of births took place before its publication. Thus, other, probably local, factors may have accounted for this rise. Overall, the religious difference between Harris and Barra contributed (at most) little changes in fertility, other than the transient increase. The proportions of married couples fell considerably over the years until after World War II at which time they increased greatly (e.g., prior to 1936 in Harris, 0.371-0.323, 1936-1945 and after 0.346 and 0.369-0.539, peaking in 1966-1975 at 0.702). This low nuptiality may have accounted for some of the strong decline in fertility in both islands. The shift from the occupation of traditional crofting and fishing to more skilled mercantile and professional employment may have also contributed to this decline.