Fertility and Social Policy
Fertility and Social Policy
This chapter reviews several theories and conceptual frameworks and uses them to further explain fertility, and how policy may or may not have certain impacts on fertility rates. Among these are the rational choice theory, risk aversion theory, gender equity theory, and postmaterialist values theory. Each one is used to try and explain the relationship between fertility and social policy, and although governments believe that national-level policies have discernible effects, the evidence is weak and too minute. Pronatalist policies are explicitly not effective, and a national ethos around children might prove to be more effective in improving fertility. Increased female labor and at the same time a more equitable distribution of domestic labor of men and women, on the other hand, is suggested to eventually lead to higher levels of fertility.
Keywords: rational choice theory, risk aversion theory, gender equity theory, postmaterialist values theory, fertility, social policy, pronatalist policies, national ethos, female labor
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