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Title: Go Forth and Multiply: The Effect of Religion on Family Size

Citation Type: Conference Paper

Publication Year: 2008

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Abstract: The influence of religion on family size in late nineteenth/early twentieth century Ontario is examined using a set of 7,156 census-linked probated decedents. Religion can directly shape values and attitudes towards fertility as well as provide social contacts and networks that encourage child bearing. As well, religion can indirectly affect wealth and fertility because of differences towards fertility, childrearing and education. A simple model of children in an old age security framework is presented, which is then translated into a reduced form econometric model with a comprehensive set of variables including religious affiliation. While empirical studies using historical Canadian micro-data have found only a weak relationship between religious affiliation and the number of children, these results find statistically significant relationships. However, they do not fall into the liberal-conservative divide of other North American studiessuggesting that the effect of religion on family size and fertility is considerably more complex.

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Authors: Matteo, Livio Di

Conference Name: Meetings of the Canadian Economic Association

Publisher Location: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Family and Marriage, Fertility and Mortality, Other

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