Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP8261
Authors: Alberto F. Alesina; Paola Giuliano; Nathan Nunn
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.
Keywords: Cultural norms; Fertility; Plough
JEL Codes: J13; O13
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| historic plough use (N53) | fertility rates (J13) |
| plough agriculture (P32) | utility of children in agricultural labor (J43) |
| utility of children in agricultural labor (J43) | family size preference (J12) |
| cultural transmission (Z13) | fertility preferences (J13) |
| historic plough use (N53) | fertility rates (J13) |