The Economic Value of Children and Some Correlates and Determinants of the Demand for Children: An Empirical Study from North-Western Ethiopia
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Date
1994-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The search for the factors affecting fertility has been given great
attention with the hope that the outcome may help in formulation and
implementation of population policy. To this end, several factors have been
investigated by many researchers. Among such factors, the value of children
in general and economic value of children in particular is believed to play an
important role. It is believed that the value of children is interrelated with
fertility behavior. Along this line, the search for the factors affecting
economic value of children and its linkage with fertility behavior is the main
theme of this paper.The study has attempted to make use of parental perception of the
economic value of children and it tries to explore its relationship with some
socio -economic and demographic variables. The data used in this study is
collected using sample survey from three different areas of Gonder region,
which is located north west of Ethiopia. The survey was conducted during
the month of April, 1993. The target population comprises individuals with
child bearing experience and still with the possibility of having a child.
The results of the study revealed that parents perception of economic
value of children vary significantly with socio-economic and demographic
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variables. The study has also attempted to explore some correlate~ and
determinants of the demand for additional children. It is found that, generally,
socio-economic and demographic variables have similar effect both on the
economic value of children variables and indicators of the demand for
children. The study concludes by identifying variables that can have desirable
policy implication towards lower fertility. It is indicated that taking measures
to lower the value of children will create conducive situation to alter the
attitude towards high fertility
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Keywords
Economic Value of Children