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Multiple Social Interaction and Reproductive Externalities: An Investigation of Fertility Behaviour in Kenya

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  • Iyer, S.
  • Weeks, M.

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of reproductive externalities on fertility behaviour in Kenya by quantifying the effects of group membership on the number of children born. We focus on the identification of structural forms of social interaction operating across individuals in the context of fertility behaviour. While structural forms of dependence may be separated from residual dependence, we also highlight the importance of difference expressions of structural dependence, including multiple expressions of social interaction. Using this idea of multiple social interactions, we use the 1998 Demographic and Health Survey on 5994 women from Kenya to examine whether the ‘local’ effect of household-level influences and cluster-level residential settlement is important relative to the more ‘global’ effect of ethnicity on fertility behaviour. In so doing, we conclude that the importance of multiple social interactions is that the assumption of a single model of interaction can lead to incorrect inferences.

Suggested Citation

  • Iyer, S. & Weeks, M., 2004. "Multiple Social Interaction and Reproductive Externalities: An Investigation of Fertility Behaviour in Kenya," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 0461, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
    • Handle: RePEc:cam:camdae:0461
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    Cited by:

    1. Ethan Cohen-Cole, 2005. "Resolving the Identification Problem in Linear Social Interactions Models: Modeling with Between-Group Spillovers," Others 0501001, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Ethan Cohen‐Cole & Giulio Zanella, 2008. "Unpacking Social Interactions," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 46(1), pages 19-24, January.
    3. Ethan Cohen-Cole & Giulio Zanella, 2008. "Welfare Stigma or Information Sharing? Decomposing Social Interactions Effects in Social Benefit Use," Department of Economics University of Siena 531, Department of Economics, University of Siena.
    4. Glaser, Darrell J., 2009. "Teenage dropouts and drug use: Does the specification of peer group structure matter?," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(4), pages 497-504, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    fertility behaviour; strategic complementarities; social interaction; endogenous effects; ethnicity; Kenya;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C25 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions; Probabilities
    • D1 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior
    • 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
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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