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Why Have Children in the 21st Century? Biological Predisposition, Social Coercion, Rational Choice

Author

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  • S. Philip Morgan

    (Duke University)

  • Rosalind Berkowitz King

    (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Abstract

This review examines arguments and evidence pertaining to the question: why have children in settings where the net economic costs of children are clearly substantial? Thereview is organized around three themes: biologicalpredispositions, environment (social coercion) and rationalchoice. Specifically, we explore the argument that evolution hasproduced sets of genes that predispose persons to childbearing bymaking sex and parenthood pleasurable. We review sociologicalarguments regarding the pronatalism/antinatalism of societalinstitutions. Finally, we discuss arguments that stress therationality of childbearing decisions by appealing to biologicalpredispositions and the economic and non-economic values ofchildren. The authors speculate that while a modern socialstructure and rationale supportive of childbearing could beconstructed, such changes are not inevitable and may be difficultin the face of competing interests. Moreover, future social andtechnological change could alter the context of childbearingsubstantially. This uncertainty complicates policyrecommendations.

Suggested Citation

  • S. Philip Morgan & Rosalind Berkowitz King, 2001. "Why Have Children in the 21st Century? Biological Predisposition, Social Coercion, Rational Choice," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 17(1), pages 3-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eurpop:v:17:y:2001:i:1:d:10.1023_a:1010784028474
    DOI: 10.1023/A:1010784028474
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Samuel H. Preston & Caroline Sten Hartnett, 2010. "The Future of American Fertility," NBER Chapters, in: Demography and the Economy, pages 11-36, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    7. Christoph Bühler & Dimiter Philipov, 2005. "Social capital related to fertility: theoretical foundations and empirical evidence from Bulgaria," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2005-016, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
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    9. Colleen Ray & Sela Harcey & Arthur Greil & Stacy Tiemeyer & Julia McQuillan, 2018. "Stability and change in personal fertility ideals among U.S. women in heterosexual relationships," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 39(16), pages 459-486.
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    13. Hans-Peter Kohler, 2001. "Comments on Morgan and King (2001): Three Reasons Why Demographers Should Pay Attention to Evolutionary Theories and Behaviour Genetics in the Analysis of Contemporary Fertility," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 17(1), pages 31-35, March.
    14. Jan Van Bavel & Jan Kok, 2004. "Birth Spacing in the Netherlands. The Effects of Family Composition, Occupation and Religion on Birth Intervals, 1820–1885," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 20(2), pages 119-140, June.
    15. Mikko Myrskylä & Rachel Margolis, 2014. "Happiness: Before and After the Kids," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 51(5), pages 1843-1866, October.
    16. Samuel H. Preston & Caroline Sten Hartnett, 2008. "The Future of American Fertility," NBER Working Papers 14498, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    17. Solveig Cunningham & Kathryn Yount & Michal Engelman & Emily Agree, 2013. "Returns on Lifetime Investments in Children in Egypt," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 50(2), pages 699-724, April.
    18. Máire Ní Bhrolcháin, 2011. "Tempo and the TFR," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 48(3), pages 841-861, August.
    19. Clémentine Rossier & Laura Bernardi, 2009. "Social Interaction Effects on Fertility: Intentions and Behaviors," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 25(4), pages 467-485, November.
    20. Jennifer A. Holland, 2012. "Home and Where the Heart Is: Marriage Timing and Joint Home Purchase [Où se trouve le cœur, là est la maison: Calendrier du mariage et achat conjoint d’un logement]," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 28(1), pages 65-89, February.
    21. Anne Roeters & Jornt J. Mandemakers & Marieke Voorpostel, 2016. "Parenthood and Well-Being: The Moderating Role of Leisure and Paid Work," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 32(3), pages 381-401, August.
    22. Karen Benjamin Guzzo, 2017. "Is Stepfamily Status Associated With Cohabiting and Married Women’s Fertility Behaviors?," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 54(1), pages 45-70, February.
    23. Karen Benjamin Guzzo, 2014. "New Partners, More Kids," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 654(1), pages 66-86, July.
    24. Zafer Büyükkeçeci & Mine Kühn & Siri E. Håberg & Cecilia Høst Ramlau-Hansen & Mikko Myrskylä, 2024. "Subjective biology: how perceived fecundity influences relationship satisfaction and stability," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2024-012, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.

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