Date of Award

12-1-1994

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Economics

First Advisor

Dr. Diamond

Second Advisor

Dr. Pol

Third Advisor

Dr. Lin

Abstract

Economic theories of fertility are tested on Norwegian time series data for the period 1962-1991. The Easterlin hypothesis receives the most attention, and generally little evidence is found to support this hypothesis. Large relative cohort size ratios, however, seem to support the Easterlin hypothesis more than small ones. A New Home Economics model with a special emphasis on male income and female wages is also estimated, and results are obtained favoring this model. Finally, the problem with effective time lags in economic fertility models is tested, and in general an effective time lag of two years is favored. Since women's liberation is social liberation, the New Home Economics model predicts a rather dark picture of future fertility. Based on the empirical results, increased equality between the sexes will have the unevitable side effect of reduced fertility.

Comments

A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Economics and the Faculty of the Graduate College of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts in Economics University of Nebraska at Omaha. Copyright Terje Christiansen December, 1994

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