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Do Data from Large Personal Networks Support Cultural Evolutionary Ideas about Kin and Fertility?

Author

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  • Gert Stulp

    (Department of Sociology & Inter-University Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology, Grote Rozenstraat 31, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands)

  • Louise Barrett

    (Department of Psychology, Science Commons, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
    Applied Behavioral Ecology and Ecosystems Research Unit, University of South Africa, Private Bag X6, Florida 1710, South Africa)

Abstract

The fertility decline associated with economic development has been attributed to a host of interrelated causes including the rising costs of children with industrialization, and shifts in family structure. One hypothesis is that kin may impart more pro-natal information within their networks than non-kin, and that this effect may be exacerbated in networks with high kin-density where greater social conformity would be expected. In this study, we tested these ideas using large personal networks (25 associates of the respondent) collected from a sample of Dutch women ( N = 706). Kin (parents) were perceived to exert slightly more social pressure to have children than non-kin, although dense networks were not associated with greater pressure. In contrast, women reported talking to friends about having children to a greater extent than kin, although greater kin-density in the network increased the likelihood of women reporting that they could talk to kin about having children. Both consanguineal and affinal kin could be asked to help with child-care to a greater extent than friends and other non-kin. Overall, there was mixed evidence that kin were more likely to offer pro-natal information than non-kin, and better evidence to suggest that kin were considered to be a better source of child-care support.

Suggested Citation

  • Gert Stulp & Louise Barrett, 2021. "Do Data from Large Personal Networks Support Cultural Evolutionary Ideas about Kin and Fertility?," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:10:y:2021:i:5:p:177-:d:556969
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hans-Peter Kohler & Jere Behrman & Susan Watkins, 2001. "The density of social networks and fertility decisions: evidence from south nyanza district, kenya," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 38(1), pages 43-58, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Paula Sheppard & Kristin Snopkowski, 2021. "Behavioral Ecology of the Family: Harnessing Theory to Better Understand Variation in Human Families," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-11, July.

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