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Childlessness, childfreeness and compensation

Author

Listed:
  • Marie-Louise Leroux

    (ESG-UQAM)

  • Pierre Pestieau

    (HEC)

  • Gregory Ponthiere

    (Université Catholique de Louvain)

Abstract

We study the design of a fair family policy in an economy where parenthood is regarded either as desirable or as undesirable, and where there is imperfect fertility control, leading to involuntary childlessness/parenthood. Using an equivalent consumption approach in the consumption-fertility space, we show that the identification of the worst-off individuals depends on how the social evaluator fixes the reference fertility level. Adopting the ex post egalitarian criterion (giving priority to the worst off in realized terms), we study the compensation for involuntary childlessness/parenthood. Unlike real-world family policies, the fair family policy does not always involve positive family allowances, and may also include positive childlessness allowances. Our results are robust to assuming asymmetric information and to introducing Assisted Reproductive Technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Marie-Louise Leroux & Pierre Pestieau & Gregory Ponthiere, 2022. "Childlessness, childfreeness and compensation," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 59(1), pages 1-35, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sochwe:v:59:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s00355-021-01379-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s00355-021-01379-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Marie-Louise Leroux & Pierre Pestieau & Gregory Ponthiere, 2022. "The Optimal Design of Assisted Reproductive Technologies Policies," CESifo Working Paper Series 9803, CESifo.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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