Full Citation

Title: Fertility change in the American Indian and Alaska Native population, 1980-2010

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2017

ISBN:

ISSN:

DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2017.37.1

NSFID:

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Abstract: Background: Since 1990, Vital Statistics reports show a dramatic decline in the total fertility rates (TFRs) of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women in the United States. Objective: We study whether the decrease in TFRs is due to a real change in fertility for a stable population; a compositional change in who identifies as AI/AN; or a methodological issue stemming from differences in identifying race across the data systems used to calculate fertility rates. Methods: We use data from the decennial US Census to study change in AI/AN fertility from 19802010. Results: We find declining TFRs when fertility is calculated within a single data system. Additionally, although TFRs are relatively stable within the subgroups of married and unmarried AI/AN women, the proportion of AI/AN women who are married has declined across birth cohorts. Conclusions: The decrease in TFRs for AI/AN women is a real change in fertility patterns and is not due to differences in racial identification across data systems. Contribution: We update knowledge of AI/AN fertility to include the decline in TFRs between 1980 and 2010.

Url: https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol37/1/default.htm

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Cannon, Sarah; Percheski, Christine

Periodical (Full): Demographic Research

Issue:

Volume: 37

Pages: 12

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Fertility and Mortality, Methodology and Data Collection, Race and Ethnicity

Countries: