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Malthus in the Bedroom: Birth Spacing as Birth Control in Pre-Transition England

Author

Listed:
  • Francesco Cinnirella
  • Marc P. B. Klemp
  • Jacob L. Weisdorf

Abstract

We use duration models on a well-known historical dataset of more than 15,000 families and 60,000 births in England for the period 1540–1850 to show that the sampled families adjusted the timing of their births in accordance with the economic conditions as well as their stock of dependent children. The effects were larger among the lower socioeconomic ranks. Our findings on the existence of parity-dependent as well as parity-independent birth spacing in England are consistent with the growing evidence that marital birth control was present in pre-transitional populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Cinnirella & Marc P. B. Klemp & Jacob L. Weisdorf, 2016. "Malthus in the Bedroom: Birth Spacing as Birth Control in Pre-Transition England," CESifo Working Paper Series 6167, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_6167
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    spacing; birth intervals; birth control; fertility limitation; preventive check;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
    • 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
    • N33 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: Pre-1913

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