The Economic Theory of Fertility Decline

Leibenstein, Harvey

doi:10.2307/1881706

Cited by 144 publications

(71 citation statements)

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“…Moreover, it appears that the economic explanations for reproductive behaviour can be problematic (Becker 1960(Becker , 1981Leibenstein 1975). In most of these studies, a partnership is viewed as a decision unit in which the partners try to maximise the utility of their household with their available resources.…”

Section: Theoretical Considerations Regarding the Fertility Decision-mentioning

confidence: 99%

Couples' fertility decision-making

Stein¹,

Willen²,

Pavetic³

2014

DemRes

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Section: Theoretical Considerations Regarding the Fertility Decision-mentioning

confidence: 99%

Couples' fertility decision-making

Stein¹,

Willen²,

Pavetic³

2014

DemRes

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“…;Mackenroth 1953: 397ff.). Leibenstein (1975) and Easterlin (1976) drew on social differences in aspirations and the concept of -relative income‖ to explain variations in fertility. Becker (1960) argued that parents not only choose the number of children (child quantity), but also the time and money they invest in each child (child quality).…”

Section: Historical Perspectives On Economic Conditions and Family Dymentioning

confidence: 99%

Economic Uncertainty and Family Dynamics in Europe

Kreyenfeld¹,

Andersson²,

Pailhé³

2012

DemRes

169

143

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BackgroundEconomic uncertainty has become an increasingly important factor in explanations of declining fertility and postponed family formation across Europe. Yet the micro-level evidence on this topic is still limited. ObjectiveThis special collection of Demographic Research focuses on the issue of how economic and employment uncertainties relate to fertility and family dynamics in Europe. MethodsThe collection is comprised of studies that explore how various dimensions of employment uncertainty, such as temporary working contracts and individual and aggregate unemployment, are related to the fertility and family formation of women and men across Europe. The studies cover Germany, the UK, France, Russia, Estonia, Sweden, Italy, Spain, and Israel. ResultsThe various micro-level studies that are assembled in this special collection do not provide a simple answer to the question of whether and how economic uncertainty suppresses (or stimulates) fertility. However, some systematic variation by welfare state regime is discernable. ConclusionsGiven the recent economic volatility in Europe, we expect that labor market uncertainties will remain an important component of explanations of fertility developments in the 21st century.

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“…There are a number of theories focusing on the demand for children as crucial in explaining fertility in general and the historic decline in particular (e.g., Becker 1981;Caldwell 1982;Easterlin 1975;Easterlin and Crimmins 1985;Leibenstein 1957Leibenstein , 1975. The demand for children is determined both by the benefits of children and by their costs.…”

Section: Explanations Of the Fertility Transitionmentioning

confidence: 99%