A Theory of the Value of Children

Friedman, Danielle Novetsky; Hechter, Michael; Kanazawa, Satoshi

doi:10.2307/2061749

Cited by 409 publications

(333 citation statements)

References 81 publications

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“…Hoffman and Hoffman (1973), for instance, listed nine dimensions that contribute to determine the value of children: (1) social identity and adulthood status; (2) the expansion of the self, the link to a larger entity, the desire of ''immortality''; (3) morality, religion, altruism, group welfare, norms concerning sexual behaviour, impulsive action, virtues; (4) primary group ties, affection; (5) stimulus, novelty, amusement; (6) realisation, competence, creativity; (7) power, influence, efficacy; (8) social comparison, competition; (9) economic utility. Friedman and colleagues (Friedman et al 1994) criticise the nine-typologies list of Hoffman and Hoffman because of its omni-comprehensiveness. By analysing childbearing decisions in contemporary contexts, where the economic utility of having children is not supposed to play an important role, Friedman and colleagues link the value of children to the capacity of a child to ''reduce uncertainty'' in a potential parent's life.…”

Section: Attitudesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes, Norms and Perceived Behavioural Control: Explaining Fertility Intentions in Bulgaria

Billari¹,

Philipov²,

Testa³

2009

Eur J Population

202

199

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In this article, we study fertility decision-making through timing parity-progression intentions. The theoretical framework builds on Ajzen's socialpsychological ''Theory of Planned Behavior'': intentions are seen as directly dependent on three components: attitudes, norms and perceived behavioural control. We study the case of Bulgaria, a ''lowest-low'' fertility country. In 2002, a sample survey containing a specially designed module was conducted. This module included an implementation of our framework, with a special attention to the links between normative pressure and the social network of respondents. Results show that the three components are broadly predictive of fertility intentions. More specifically, attitudes are more relevant than norms for higher parities. Socio-economic, ideational, psychological and social capital-based factors are relevant background determinants.Keywords Fertility intentions Á Theory of planned behavior Á Bulgaria Á Lowest-low fertility Á Norms Résumé Dans cet article, nous étudions les décisions en matière de fécondité à l'aide des intentions d'agrandissement avec référence temporelle. Le cadre conceptuel est celui de la théorie psychosociologique du comportement prévu d'Ajzen, selon laquelle les intentions dépendent de façon directe de trois éléments : les attitudes, les normes et le contrôle perçu du comportement. L'étude concerne la Bulgarie, un pays dont la fécondité est des plus basses. En 2002, une enquête par sondage comportant un module de questions construit à cette fin a été menée. Ce 123Eur J Population (2009( ) 25:439-465 DOI 10.1007 module comprenait les éléments pour mettre en oeuvre notre cadre conceptuel, en accordant une attention particulière aux liens entre la pression normative et le réseau social des enquêtés. Les résultats montrent que les trois éléments de la théorie sont des facteurs de prédiction des intentions de fécondité. Plus spécifiquement, les attitudes sont plus pertinentes que les normes pour le passage au deuxième enfant. Les facteurs socio-économiques, idéationnels, psychologiques et ceux basés sur le capital social sont pertinents comme déterminants de contexte.

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Section: Attitudesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes, Norms and Perceived Behavioural Control: Explaining Fertility Intentions in Bulgaria

Billari¹,

Philipov²,

Testa³

2009

Eur J Population

202

199

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Research has consistently shown that working women (Rhee, 1973;Ritchey & Stokes, 1974;De Jong & Sell, 1977;Veevers, 1979;Houseknecht, 1987;Heaton et al, 1999) and women in high-status jobs (De Jong & Sell, 1977;Bloom & Pebley, 1982;Callan, 1986;Friedman et al, 1994) are more likely to remain childless than their female counterparts. Associations between employment and childlessness are less well documented for men.…”

Section: Employment Pathwaymentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathways Into Childlessness: Evidence of Gendered Life Course Dynamics

2008

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Summary. Using data from the first wave of the Netherlands Kinship Panel Study (NKPS) for 2867 women and 2195 men aged 40 to 79, this study examines to what extent educational, employment and marital pathways shape the likelihood of remaining childless, and whether these pathways are gendered. The findings indicate that women and men have distinctive pathways into childlessness. Educational attainment increases the likelihood of remaining childless among women only. A stable career increases the likelihood of remaining childless among women, but it increases the likelihood of entering fatherhood. Years without a partner is positively associated with childlessness among both women and men. Not having had a partnership and having had multiple partnerships are strong determinants of childlessness, especially among men.

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“…Becker's microeconomic model; the Easterlin-Crimmins socio-economic model; Friedman et al (1994) uncertainty model; the social capillarity model; Davis's multiphasic model; Coale's model of the three preconditions; transition theory; Lesthaeghe on secular individualism; the newer models on 'social influence' and diffusion. Which is the true model of fertility?…”

Section: Demography Reconsideredmentioning

confidence: 99%

Demography in a New Key: A Theory of Population Theory

Burch

2017

Demographic Research Monographs

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A Theory of the Value of Children

Cited by 409 publications

References 81 publications

Attitudes, Norms and Perceived Behavioural Control: Explaining Fertility Intentions in Bulgaria

Attitudes, Norms and Perceived Behavioural Control: Explaining Fertility Intentions in Bulgaria

Pathways Into Childlessness: Evidence of Gendered Life Course Dynamics

Demography in a New Key: A Theory of Population Theory

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