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Differences in fertility behavior and uncertainty: an economic theory of the minority status hypothesis

Author

Listed:
  • Paolo Melindi-Ghidi

    (EconomiX - EconomiX - UPN - Université Paris Nanterre - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Bastien Chabé-Ferret

Abstract

We revisit the question of why fertility behaviors and educational decisions appear to vary systematically across ethnic groups. We assess the possibility that differences in fertility across groups remain even though their socio-economic characteristics are similar. More specifically, we consider that parents' fertility decisions are affected by the uncertainty concerning the future economic status of their offspring. We assume that this uncertainty varies across groups and is linked to the size of the group one belongs to. We find theoretical support for the minority status hypothesis according to which members of large minorities usually have a higher fertility than those in the majority facing low potential for social mobility while small minorities have lower fertility.

Suggested Citation

  • Paolo Melindi-Ghidi & Bastien Chabé-Ferret, 2013. "Differences in fertility behavior and uncertainty: an economic theory of the minority status hypothesis," Post-Print hal-01614013, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01614013
    DOI: 10.1007/s00148-012-0434-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Battaglia, Marianna & Chabé-Ferret, Bastien & Lebedinski, Lara, 2017. "Segregation and Fertility: The Case of the Roma in Serbia," IZA Discussion Papers 10929, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Emeline Bezin & Bastien Chabé-Ferret & David de la Croix, 2025. "Strategic Fertility, Education Choices, and Conflicts in Deeply Divided Societies," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 23(2), pages 521-553.
    3. David de la Croix & Clara Delavallade, 2018. "Religions, Fertility, And Growth In Southeast Asia," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 59(2), pages 907-946, May.
    4. Gitanjali Sen & Mitul Surana & Rakesh Basant, 2023. "To What Extent Does the Fertility Rate Explain the Education Gap?," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 42(3), pages 1-31, June.
    5. Melindi-Ghidi, Paolo & Seegmuller, Thomas, 2019. "The love for children hypothesis and the multiplicity of fertility rates," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 89-100.
    6. Thomas Baudin & David de La Croix & Paula Gobbi, 2012. "DINKs, DEWKs & Co. Marriage, Fertility and Childlessness in the United States," Working Papers hal-00993307, HAL.
    7. Lisa Landschoot & Didier Willaert & Helga A. G. Valk & Jan Bavel, 2018. "Partner Choice and the Transition to Parenthood for Second-Generation Women of Turkish and Moroccan Origin in Belgium," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 34(4), pages 579-608, October.
    8. Rosa Aisa & Joaquín Andaluz & Gemma Larramona, 2017. "Fertility patterns in the Roma population of Spain," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 115-133, March.
    9. Ariane Pailhé, 2017. "The convergence of second-generation immigrants' fertility patterns in France: The role of sociocultural distance between parents' and host country," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 36(45), pages 1361-1398.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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