Family Structure, Implicit Contracts, and the Demand for Children in Southern Nigeria

An important debate in the population and development literature concerns whether the structure of families independently and systematically affects household decisionmaking processes and fertility differentials. Using a Transactions Framework and data from Southern Nigeria, this article examines, b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Population and development review 1988-12, Vol.14 (4), p.571-594
Main Authors: Fapohunda, Eleanor R., Todaro, Michael P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Child care
Children
Contracts
Demography
Family
Female fertility
Fertility
Husbands
Nigeria
Polygyny
Spouses
Wives
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Summary:An important debate in the population and development literature concerns whether the structure of families independently and systematically affects household decisionmaking processes and fertility differentials. Using a Transactions Framework and data from Southern Nigeria, this article examines, both theoretically and empirically, how three implicit Nigerian family contracts affect spousal reproductive goals and fertility behavior. The data reveal considerable differences in spousal fertility intentions, with fertility behavior strongly influenced by the nature of household contracts. Policy implications of the analysis are explored.
ISSN:0098-7921
1728-4457
DOI:10.2307/1973625