Intrahousehold Decision Making and Fertility

28 Pages Posted: 30 Dec 2014 Last revised: 25 Sep 2024

See all articles by Matthias Doepke

Matthias Doepke

Northwestern University - Department of Economics; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Fabian Kindermann

University of Regensburg; Netspar

Abstract

The economic theory of fertility choice builds predominantly on the unitary model of the household, in which there is a single household utility function and potential intra-household disagreement is abstracted from. Empirical evidence suggests, however, that many (potential) mothers and fathers disagree on whether to have children, on how many children to have, and on when to have them. In this paper, we review existing work that brings models of intrahousehold conflict and bargaining to bear on fertility choice, and we point out promising future directions for this line of research.

Keywords: limited commitment, child care, bargaining, fertility

JEL Classification: D13, J12, J13

Suggested Citation

Doepke, Matthias and Kindermann, Fabian, Intrahousehold Decision Making and Fertility. IZA Discussion Paper No. 8726, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2543921

Matthias Doepke (Contact Author)

Northwestern University - Department of Economics ( email )

2003 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208
United States

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
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Fabian Kindermann

University of Regensburg ( email )

Universitaetsstrasse 31
D-93040 Regensburg
Germany

Netspar ( email )

P.O. Box 90153
Tilburg, 5000 LE
Netherlands

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