Abstract

The author sheds light on the meaning of inheritance in contemporary society. Inheritance nowadays has to be analysed in connection with all the other exchanges which take place among relatives and within the family during its members' entire lives. Some data are presented in order to show the changes which have taken places in private transference between two generations in Italian society. Great changes toward an equalitarian pattern of inheritance among men and women have taken place and characterise Italian contemporary society. Still we find differences favouring sons over daughters when we study succession in farming families and economic activities.