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A Theory of Child Adoption

Author

Listed:
  • Dirk Bethmann

    (Korea University, South Korea)

  • Michael Kvasnicka

    (Otto von Guericke University, Germany)

Abstract

Women can bear own children or adopt them. Extending economic theories of fertility, we provide a first formal theoretical treatment of the demand for adoption. It is shown that the propensity to adopt a child increases in the degree of own altruism, infertility, relatedness and emotional attachment to the child, costs of own child birth, and any adoption-specific monetary return that is received net of the costs of adopting the child. Aggregate adoption statistics are broadly consistent with the predictions of our model. Classification-JEL:

Suggested Citation

  • Dirk Bethmann & Michael Kvasnicka, 2022. "A Theory of Child Adoption," Journal of Economic Development, The Economic Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, vol. 47(2), pages 101-114.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:jecdev:0019
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Becker, Gary S & Tomes, Nigel, 1976. "Child Endowments and the Quantity and Quality of Children," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 84(4), pages 143-162, August.
    2. Palmer, John, 1986. "The social cost of adoption agencies," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 6(2), pages 189-203, December.
    3. Mariagiovanna Baccara & Allan Collard-Wexler & Leonardo Felli & Leeat Yariv, 2014. "Child-Adoption Matching: Preferences for Gender and Race," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 6(3), pages 133-158, July.
    4. Sofia Lundberg, 2000. "Child Auctions in Nineteenth Century Sweden: An Analysis of Price Differences," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 35(2), pages 279-298.
    5. Gennetian, Lisa A, 1999. "The Supply of Infants Relinquished for Adoption: Did Access to Abortion Make a Difference?," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 37(3), pages 412-431, July.
    6. Medoff, Marshall H, 1993. "An Empirical Analysis of Adoption," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 31(1), pages 59-70, January.
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    2. Potter, Marina Haddock & Font, Sarah A., 2021. "State contexts and foster care adoption rates," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D02 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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