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Fertility in the absence of self-control

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  • Wigniolle, Bertrand

Abstract

This paper studies the quantity–quality trade-off model of fertility, under the assumption of hyperbolic discounting. It shows that the lack of self-control may play a different role in a developed economy and in a developing one. In the first case, characterized by a positive investment in quality, the lack of self-control may tend to reduce fertility. In the second case, it is possible that the lack of self-control leads to both no investment in quality and a higher fertility rate. It is also proved that if parents cannot commit on their investment in quality, a small change of parameters may lead to a jump in fertility and education.

Suggested Citation

  • Wigniolle, Bertrand, 2013. "Fertility in the absence of self-control," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 66(1), pages 71-86.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:matsoc:v:66:y:2013:i:1:p:71-86
    DOI: 10.1016/j.mathsocsci.2013.02.001
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    as
    1. Wigniolle, Bertrand, 2012. "Savings behavior with imperfect capital markets: When hyperbolic discounting leads to discontinuous strategies," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 116(2), pages 186-189.
    2. 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.
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    1. Fertility and self-control
      by Economic Logician in Economic Logic on 2011-03-18 19:03:00

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    1. Wigniolle, Bertrand, 2012. "Savings behavior with imperfect capital markets: When hyperbolic discounting leads to discontinuous strategies," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 116(2), pages 186-189.
    2. Jia Cao & Minghao Li, 2022. "Hyperbolic discounting in an intergenerational model with altruistic parents," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 35(3), pages 989-1005, July.
    3. Matthias Wrede, 2011. "Hyperbolic discounting and fertility," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 24(3), pages 1053-1070, July.
    4. Paula Eugenia Gobbi & Marc Goñi, 2020. "Childless Aristocrats. Inheritance and the Extensive Margin of Fertility," Working Papers ECARES 2020-03, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    5. Paula Eugenia Gobbi & Marc Goñi, 2020. "Childless Aristocrats. Inheritance and the extensive margin of fertility," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/316217, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    6. Paula E Gobbi & Marc Goñi, 2021. "Childless Aristocrats: Inheritance and the Extensive Margin of Fertility," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 131(637), pages 2089-2118.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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