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The impact of intergenerational cultural transmission on fertility decisions

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  • Salari, Mahmoud

Abstract

This study examines the impact of cultural attitudes on the fertility decisions of women who were born in the U.S. To distinguish the economic and institutional effects from the cultural effects on fertility decisions, this study employs data from second-generation immigrant women who kept their heritage languages in the U.S. Total fertility rate (TFR) from the woman’s heritage country is defined as a cultural proxy for fertility decisions. The results of the models indicate that second-generation immigrant women who kept their heritage languages and whose parents emigrated from countries with higher/lower TFR have more/fewer children in the U.S., respectively. Heritage cultures have positive and statistically significant impact on women’s fertility decisions. The two main findings indicate that first, culture has quantitative effects on a woman’s fertility decisions and second, culture slowly shifts over time. The results also demonstrate the importance of cultural transmission from one generation to the next, which can be used by policy makers.

Suggested Citation

  • Salari, Mahmoud, 2018. "The impact of intergenerational cultural transmission on fertility decisions," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 88-99.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecanpo:v:58:y:2018:i:c:p:88-99
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eap.2018.01.003
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    Cited by:

    1. Mahmoud Salari, 2020. "Culture and heritage language: a study of female labor force participation," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 285-306, June.
    2. Requena, Miguel & Reher, David Sven, 2023. "Intergenerational transmission of fertility in Spain among cohorts born during the first half of twentieth century," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).
    3. Marina Morales, 2021. "Intergenerational transmission of fertility outcomes in Spain," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 89(4), pages 315-329, July.
    4. Brunello, Giorgio & Yamamura, Eiji, 2021. "With a Little Help from My Mother. The Matrilineal Advantage in European Grand Parenting," IZA Discussion Papers 14379, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    5. Morales, Marina, 2020. "Intergenerational transmission of fertility decisions in Spain," MPRA Paper 102046, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Ishida, Ryo & Oguro, Kazumasa & Yasuoka, Masaya, 2018. "Population density, fertility, and childcare services from the perspective of a two-region overlapping generations model," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 29-39.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Culture; Immigration; Second-generation; Fertility;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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