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Cultural niche construction with application to fertility control: A model for education and social transmission of contraceptive use

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Listed:
  • Denton, Kaleda K.
  • Kendal, Jeremy R.
  • Ihara, Yasuo
  • Feldman, Marcus W.

Abstract

The evolution of a cultural trait may be affected by niche construction, or changes in the selective environment of that trait due to the inheritance of other cultural traits that make up a cultural background. This study investigates the evolution of a cultural trait, such as the acceptance of the idea of contraception, that is both vertically and horizontally transmitted within a homogeneous social network. Individuals may conform to the norm, and adopters of the trait have fewer progeny than others. In addition, adoption of this trait is affected by a vertically transmitted aspect of the cultural background, such as the preference for high or low levels of education. Our model shows that such cultural niche construction can facilitate the spread of traits with low Darwinian fitness while providing an environment that counteracts conformity to norms. In addition, niche construction can facilitate the ‘demographic transition’ by making reduced fertility socially accepted.

Suggested Citation

  • Denton, Kaleda K. & Kendal, Jeremy R. & Ihara, Yasuo & Feldman, Marcus W., 2023. "Cultural niche construction with application to fertility control: A model for education and social transmission of contraceptive use," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 1-14.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:thpobi:v:153:y:2023:i:c:p:1-14
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tpb.2023.06.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jere Behrman & Hans-Peter Kohler & Susan Watkins, 2002. "Social networks and changes in contraceptive use over time: Evidence from a longitudinal study in rural Kenya," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 39(4), pages 713-738, November.
    2. Basu, Alaka Malwade, 2002. "Why does Education Lead to Lower Fertility? A Critical Review of Some of the Possibilities," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 30(10), pages 1779-1790, October.
    3. Liu, Xiran & Feldman, Marcus W., 2021. "Effects of cultural transmission of surnaming decisions on the sex ratio at birth," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 44-53.
    4. Debarun Bhattacharjya & Anant Sudarshan & Shripad Tuljapurkar & Ross Shachter & Marcus Feldman, 2008. "How can economic schemes curtail the increasing sex ratio at birth in China?," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 19(54), pages 1831-1850.
    5. Fogarty, L. & Creanza, N. & Feldman, M.W., 2013. "The role of cultural transmission in human demographic change: An age-structured model," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 68-77.
    6. Ruth Mace, 2014. "When not to have another baby: An evolutionary approach to low fertility," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 30(37), pages 1074-1096.
    7. Pollak, R.A. & Watkins, S.C., 1993. "Cultural and Economic Approaches to Fertility : A Proper Marriage or a Mesalliance?," Discussion Papers in Economics at the University of Washington 93-11, Department of Economics at the University of Washington.
    8. Murthi, Mamta, 2002. "Fertility Change in Asia and Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 30(10), pages 1769-1778, October.
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    1. Fogarty, Laurel & Zhang, Stephen & Feldman, Marcus W., 2025. "Gene-culture association and coevolution," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 62-71.

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