The HUN-REN Centre for Social Sciences Institute for Sociology cordially invites you to

 

  Interconnections between anti-immigration and pronatalist family policy discourse in Hungary

 

 

Lecturers: Ivett Szalma (HUN-REN Centre for Social Sciences); Boglárka Herke (HUN-REN Centre for Social Sciences)

Discussants:  Ákos Bocskor (Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Sociology) és Dániel Oross (HUN-REN TK) 

Date: 31 May, 2024. 1 p.m.

Venue: Centre for Social Sciences Institute for Sociology, 1097 Budapest, Tóth Kálmán utca 4. Room B1.15 

Online Link: 

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81072577454?pwd=quEKVPDptNxVz2olkC8fW5hG7e7jZQ.1

Meeting ID: 810 7257 7454
Passcode: 909929

 

Abstract 

Europe faces significant challenges due to persistently low fertility rates since 1970, impacting economies and public finances, with many countries pursuing pronatalist family policies as a solution. Simultaneously, the heterogeneous handling of immigration, notably exemplified in the 2015 influx, further complicates demographic discussions within the European Union. This study explores the connection between Hungary's government's discourse on immigration and family policy. Using 217 speeches and articles from the government's websites between 2014 and 2022, seven themes were identified. The majority presented immigration as not a solution to demographic problems, emphasising the importance of encouraging Hungarian families to have children. The study also highlighted security and economic concerns, issues of deservingness, preservation of Hungarian culture, sovereignty, and the will of the people. Our results reveal that the Hungarian political elite, using the demographic nationalist paradigm, purposefully presented migration as a threat to culture and to Hungarian families, with no good benefits for the nation.

 

The paper can be requested from the authors at ivett.szalma@tk.hun-ren.hu OR herke.boglarka@tk.hun-ren.hu