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Male fertility between biology and the socioeconomic context news from the past (Alghero, 1866–1935)

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  • Breschi, M.
  • Fornasin, A.
  • Gonano, G.
  • Mazzoni, S.
  • Manfredini, M.

Abstract

In the process of fertility decline, the role and participation of men have hardly been considered in the demographic literature. It has grown only as fertility was dropping dramatically in most Western countries, but very little has been done to analyze such an issue in historical populations. Based on individual-level data, the present paper aims at investigating, by means of hazard models, the role of males in the reproductive pattern of the pre-transitional population of Alghero, Sardinia (1866–1935). The results show a slower decrease of male fertility (-23% at 40–49 years; around -50% at 50+) compared to female fertility (about -40% already at 35–49 years), with significant differentials by socioeconomic status (SES). Wealthier men present, in fact, lower fertility than poorest ones, with a gap that, however, reduces with age and even reverses at 50+ years. The reason for such a change is likely to be partly associated with the better health conditions of the wealthy group, developed especially in adulthood, given the absence of a significant relationship between height and fertility SES differentials.

Suggested Citation

  • Breschi, M. & Fornasin, A. & Gonano, G. & Mazzoni, S. & Manfredini, M., 2020. "Male fertility between biology and the socioeconomic context news from the past (Alghero, 1866–1935)," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 37(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ehbiol:v:37:y:2020:i:c:s1570677x19301765
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2019.100833
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Marco Breschi & Alessio Fornasin & Matteo Manfredini & Lucia Pozzi & Rosella Rettaroli & Francesco Scalone, 2014. "Social and Economic Determinants of Reproductive Behavior Before the Fertility Decline. The Case of Six Italian Communities During the Nineteenth Century," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 30(3), pages 291-315, August.
    2. Breschi, M. & Fornasin, A. & Manfredini, M. & Mazzoni, S. & Pozzi, L., 2011. "Socioeconomic conditions, health and mortality from birth to adulthood, Alghero 1866-1925," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 48(3), pages 366-375, July.
    3. repec:cai:popine:popu_p1977_32n6_1158 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Manfredini, Matteo & Breschi, Marco & Fornasin, Alessio & Seghieri, Chiara, 2013. "Height, socioeconomic status and marriage in Italy around 1900," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 11(4), pages 465-473.
    5. Francisca Nordfalk & Ulla A. Hvidtfeldt & Niels Keiding, 2015. "TFR for males in Denmark," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 32(52), pages 1421-1434.
    6. Amelia Karraker & John DeLamater & Christine R. Schwartz, 2011. "Sexual Frequency Decline From Midlife to Later Life," Journals of Gerontology: Series B, Gerontological Society of America, vol. 66(4), pages 502-512.
    7. Bruno Schoumaker, 2017. "Measuring male fertility rates in developing countries with Demographic and Health Surveys: An assessment of three methods," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 36(28), pages 803-850.
    8. Marco Breschi & Alessio Fornasin & Matteo Manfredini & Marianna Zacchigna, 2009. "Family Composition and Remarriage in Pre-Transitional Italy: A Comparative Study," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 25(3), pages 277-296, August.
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