Norwegian College Boom: Did It Really Shift Family Plans?

Norway saw a big push to open colleges in the 1970s and 1980s. The idea was to give more people a shot at higher education. This move was part of a broader trend seen in many countries. People were going to college more than ever before. Some thought this would change how families were formed and how many kids people had. Researchers wanted to see if these new colleges made a difference. They looked at data from that time. They checked if having a college nearby changed when people got married or had kids. They also saw if it made people move around more. Surprisingly, the colleges didn't seem to have a big impact. People's plans for marriage and kids didn't change much. Neither did how often they moved. This might seem odd. After all, going to college can be a big deal. It can change lives. But maybe it didn't change these specific things. Or maybe other factors were more important. It's also possible that the colleges weren't around long enough. Or maybe they weren't different enough from what was already there. This is where things get interesting. It's not just about having a college. It's about what that college offers. And how it fits into the bigger picture. Think about it. Going to college can open doors. But it can also close some. Maybe the colleges didn't change family plans because they didn't open enough new doors. Or maybe they opened the wrong ones. It's a complex issue. And it's one that's worth digging into. After all, education is a powerful tool. But it's not a magic wand. It doesn't always work the way we think it will.