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Family and Fertility: Kin Influence on the Progression to a Second Birth in the British Household Panel Study

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  • Paul Mathews
  • Rebecca Sear

Abstract

Particular features of human female life history, such as short birth intervals and the early cessation of female reproduction (menopause), are argued to be evidence that humans are ‘cooperative breeders’, with a reproductive strategy adapted to conditions where mothers receive substantial assistance in childraising. Evolutionary anthropologists have so far largely focussed on measuring the influence of kin on reproduction in natural fertility populations. Here we look at the effect in a present-day low-fertility population, by analysing whether kin affect parity progression in the British Household Panel Study. Two explanatory variables related to kin influence significantly increase the odds of a female having a second birth: i) having relatives who provide childcare and ii) having a larger number of frequently contacted and emotionally close relatives. Both effects were measured subject to numerous socio-economic controls and appear to be independent of one another. We therefore conclude that kin may influence the progression to a second birth. This influence is possibly due to two proximate mechanisms: kin priming through communication and kin assistance with childcare.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Mathews & Rebecca Sear, 2013. "Family and Fertility: Kin Influence on the Progression to a Second Birth in the British Household Panel Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(3), pages 1-10, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0056941
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056941
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    1. Martin Klesment & Allan Puur & Luule Sakkeus & Leen Rahnu, 2014. "Varying association between education and second births in Europe," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 31(27), pages 813-860.
    2. Auspurg, Katrin & Burton, Jonathan & Cullinane, Carl & Delavande, Adeline & Laura, Fumagalli & Iacovou, Maria & Jäckle, Annette & Kaminska, Olena & Lynn, Peter & Mathews, Paul & Nicolaas, Gerry & Nic, 2013. "Understanding Society Innovation Panel Wave 5: results from methodological experiments," Understanding Society Working Paper Series 2013-06, Understanding Society at the Institute for Social and Economic Research.
    3. Yang, Wei & Spencer, Byron G, 2022. "Kinship and fertility: Brother and sibling effects on births in a patrilineal system," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 158-170.
    4. Eleonora Miaci & Eleonora Mussino & Eleonora Trappolini & Giammarco Alderotti & Cristina Giudici, 2025. "Formal Childcare Use and Mothers’ Fertility Intentions and Behaviours: Evidence in Italy by Migration Background," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 41(1), pages 1-37, December.
    5. J. David Hacker & Evan Roberts, 2017. "The impact of kin availability, parental religiosity, and nativity on fertility differentials in the late 19th-century United States," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 37(34), pages 1049-1080.
    6. Kristin Snopkowski & Rebecca Sear, 2016. "Does grandparental help mediate the relationship between kin presence and fertility?," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 34(17), pages 467-498.

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