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Economics and family structures

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  • Gobbi, Paula Eugenia
  • Baudin, Thomas
  • De Rock, Bram

Abstract

Household decisions are one of the key elements impacting many dimensions of any economy. In this paper, we review the economic literature on family types, focusing on nuclear, stem, and complex families. We show that family types are heterogeneous across and within countries, both in the past and in present times. We argue that economists have focused too much their analysis on nuclear families, which may limit our capacity to analyze the impact of institutional phenomena or public policies. We establish how each family type could relate to the basic ingredients of standard structural models of household decisions. We believe this overview sets the stage for an interesting research avenue to improve the structural models of household decision making.

Suggested Citation

  • Gobbi, Paula Eugenia & Baudin, Thomas & De Rock, Bram, 2021. "Economics and family structures," CEPR Discussion Papers 16516, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:16516
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Family structures; Economic development; Household decisions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure

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