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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:An Economic Analysis of Human Fertility in KwaZulu, Southern Africa
Authors:Nieuwoudt, W.L.ISNI
Fairlamb, C.D.
Year:1990
Periodical:South African Journal of Economics
Volume:58
Issue:3
Pages:357-363
Language:English
Geographic terms:South Africa
KwaZulu
Subjects:household composition
family planning
Family Planning and Contraception
Fertility and Infertility
economics
External link:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1813-6982.1990.tb00946.x
Abstract:Fertility behaviour is a matter of economic theory as it is intimately related to consumption and family choices. This research studies economic factors associated with family sizes in KwaZulu, South Africa. It is hypothesized that family sizes are affected by economic variables such as schooling (also seen as a proxy for permanent income) and opportunity cost of the mother's time. Costs of child care are of two types: direct costs of rearing children (including education) and indirect costs associated with labour intensities of direct costs. In order to introduce maximum variation in variables studied, a stratified sampling procedure was used that included rural and urban data and professional mothers, as for instance nurses. Findings reported suggest that upgrading schooling of women and children, increasing the opportunity cost of their time, will depress family sizes. With urbanization the opportunity value of women's time increases as she enters the job market. This, in turn, decreases birth rates. In agrarian societies the opportunity costs of parents' time spent in rearing children are believed to be small because women are mostly engaged in household or farm activities. Besides, the opportunity value of childrens' time is high in rural areas. It is common to engage children in the production process, and the money they later send home is an important benefit to parents. Bibliogr.
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