Size of Family, Life Chances, and Reproductive Behavior

Abstract

Examines the long standing hypothesis that size of family runs in families. It is hypothesized that size of family of origin has 2 main effects on reproductive behavior: a weak direct (family tradition) effect and a stronger indirect (structural) effect through life chances (status attainment). Life chances of both husband and wife are considered. It is hypothesized that size of family influences status attainment which in turn affects fertility. Size of family of origin is more strongly related to wifes than to husbands life chances. It is hypothesized that resources are allocated preferentially for sons over daughters. It was found that the mediating effect of allocation preferences on the number of siblings/life chances relationship carries through to the number of siblings/number of live births relationship. In looking at wifes and husbands birth order simultaneously better predictive stance of the allocation hypothesis vis-a-vis the conformity hypothesis has been demonstrated. (Authors modified)