Bargaining Over Babies: Theory, Evidence, and Policy Implications

89 Pages Posted: 14 Mar 2016 Last revised: 23 Oct 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

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Date Written: March 2016

Abstract

It takes a woman and a man to make a baby. This fact suggests that for a birth to take place, the parents should first agree on wanting a child. Using newly available data on fertility preferences and outcomes, we show that indeed, babies are likely to arrive only if both parents desire one. In addition, there are many couples who disagree on having babies, and in low-fertility countries women are much more likely than men to be opposed to having another child. We account for this evidence with a quantitative model of household bargaining in which the distribution of the burden of child care between mothers and fathers is a key determinant of fertility. The model implies that fertility is highly responsive to targeted policies that lower the child care burden specifically for mothers.

Suggested Citation

Doepke, Matthias and Kindermann, Fabian, Bargaining Over Babies: Theory, Evidence, and Policy Implications (March 2016). NBER Working Paper No. w22072, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2747192

Matthias Doepke (Contact Author)

Northwestern University - Department of Economics ( email )

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Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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IZA Institute of Labor Economics

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Fabian Kindermann

University of Regensburg ( email )

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D-93040 Regensburg
Germany

Netspar ( email )

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Tilburg, 5000 LE
Netherlands

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