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Birthing a Nation: The Effect of Fertility Control Access on the Nineteenth-Century Demographic Transition

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  • Lahey, Joanna N.

Abstract

During the nineteenth century, the U.S. birthrate fell by half. While previous economic literature has emphasized demand-side explanations for this decline, many of these arguments are confounded by changes in the supply of technologies to control fertility. I exploit the introduction of state laws governing American women's access to abortion to measure the effect of changes in the supply of fertility technologies on the number of children born. I estimate an increase in the birthrate of 4 to 15 percent when abortion is restricted. I also explore the legal characteristics and political economy of these laws.

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  • Lahey, Joanna N., 2014. "Birthing a Nation: The Effect of Fertility Control Access on the Nineteenth-Century Demographic Transition," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 74(2), pages 482-508, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jechis:v:74:y:2014:i:02:p:482-508_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Fischer, Stefanie & Royer, Heather & White, Corey, 2018. "The impacts of reduced access to abortion and family planning services on abortions, births, and contraceptive purchases," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 43-68.

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