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The Influence of Kin Proximity on the Reproductive Success of American Couples, 1900-1910
J David Hacker1, Jonas Helgertz2, Matt A Nelson2
1Department of History, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, USA.
Demography
|October 4, 2021
Summary
Kin availability positively influenced fertility and child survival in early 20th-century America. Declining kin support contributed to the U.S. fertility transition, with distinct impacts from maternal versus paternal kin.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Demography
- Family Studies
Background:
- Raising children demands significant resources and support.
- Kin and social networks provide crucial assistance for child-rearing and survival.
- Understanding historical fertility patterns requires examining social support structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of kin availability on couples' reproductive success.
- To assess the role of kin proximity in fertility and child survival.
- To explore the impact of kin on the historical fertility transition in the U.S.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a large-scale panel dataset linking over 3.1 million couples.
- Analyzed data from the 1900 and 1910 U.S. Censuses.
- Examined associations between kin proximity and reproductive outcomes.
Main Results:
- Positive association found between kin proximity outside the household and fertility, child survival, and net reproduction.
- Declining kin availability identified as a key factor in the U.S. fertility transition.
- Residing with a mother-in-law correlated with higher fertility than residing with one's own mother.
Conclusions:
- Kin availability significantly impacts reproductive success and child survival.
- Changes in kin structures contributed to historical declines in fertility.
- In-household kin presence, particularly mothers-in-law, shows differential effects on fertility, suggesting distinct familial dynamics.
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