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Breaking the misery wheel? Fertility control, social mobility, and biological well-being in rural Spain (1835–1959)

Author

Listed:
  • Francisco J. MARCO-GARCIA

    (Department of Applied Economics, Universidad de Zaragoza and Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón)

  • Ángel Luis GONZÁLEZ-ESTEBAN

    (Department of Applied Economics and Economic History, National University of Distance Education)

Abstract

Fertility control strategies became widespread in rural Spain through the twentieth century: a significant number of parents decided to reduce their marital fertility once the advantages of control strategies became widely known. This paper explores the impact of those practices on children through a comparative study of the heights and occupations of grandparents, parents, and children. We analyze more than 1,200 individuals from three different generations born between 1835 and 1959 in 14 rural Spanish villages, studying whether the advantages associated with fertility control were maintained over time favoring a better family status or whether they were diluted in the next generation. The largest increases in height were among children whose parents controlled their fertility by stopping having children before the mother's 36th birthday. However, it does not seem that this increase in biological well-being was accompanied by major episodes of upward social mobility.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco J. MARCO-GARCIA & Ángel Luis GONZÁLEZ-ESTEBAN, 2026. "Breaking the misery wheel? Fertility control, social mobility, and biological well-being in rural Spain (1835–1959)," JODE - Journal of Demographic Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 92(2), pages 141-178, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:ctl:louvde:v:92:y:2026:i:2:p:141-178
    DOI: 10.1017/dem.2024.6
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D6 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics
    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality

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