Abstract

  
 

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Fertility and the Plough


Alberto F. Alesina


Harvard University - Department of Economics

Paola Giuliano


University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - Anderson School of Management; Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)

Nathan Nunn


Harvard University - Department of Economics
February 2011

CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP8261

Abstract:     
The current study finds that societies which historically engaged in plough agriculture today have lower fertility. We argue, and provide ethnographic evidence, that the finding is explained by the fact that with plough agriculture, children, like women, are relatively less useful in the field. The plough requires strength and eliminates the need for weeding, a task particularly suitable for women and children. This in turn generates a preference for fewer children, lowering fertility.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 15

Keywords: cultural norms, fertility, plough

JEL Classification: J13, O13

working papers series


Date posted: March 14, 2011  

Suggested Citation

Alesina, Alberto F., Giuliano, Paola and Nunn, Nathan, Fertility and the Plough (February 2011). CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP8261. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1782555

Contact Information

Alberto F. Alesina (Contact Author)
Harvard University - Department of Economics ( email )
Littauer Center
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States
Paola Giuliano
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - Anderson School of Management ( email )
110 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1481
United States
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)
P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany
Nathan Nunn
Harvard University - Department of Economics ( email )
Littauer Center
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States
Feedback to SSRN (Beta)


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