Mirando Caso Luengo, Alfonso (2004) An analysis of fertility behaviour in Mexico. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

In the last few decades female permanent sterilization became the most used
contraception method in Mexico. During this time the demand for short-term
contraceptives fell consistently. The shift in the demand for contraceptives raises
concerns among demographers that the timing of children may remain unchanged
regardless of the observed reductions in period fertility rates. After presenting a
brief discussion of the economic theory on fertility behaviour (Chapter 2) and
introducing the reader to the main demographic issues of modem Mexico
(Chapter 3), Chapter 4 assesses these ideas in the context of modelling the timing
of a first child, using duration models as main analysis tool. Findings suggest that
young cohorts of women are effectively delaying first birth relative to the
experience of older generations.
Chapter 5 reports a study of the determinants of completed fertility. Special
attention is given to studying how characteristics such as religion and ethnic
group affect the likelihood of transition from low to high order parities. An
innovative Double-Hurdle count model is developed for the analysis. Findings
indicate that education and Catholicism are associated with reductions in the
likelihood of transition from parities lower than four to high order parities. Being
an indigenous language speaker increases the odds of a large family.
Chapter 6 enquires how fertility plans of young individuals who live in intact
families (i.e., those where both biological parents are present) differ from fertility
plans of young individuals who live in non-intact families. The role of family
background in the formation of fertility plans is studied. Count data models are
used in the analysis, including an innovative technique for estimating quantile
regression for count data. Findings suggest that an absent father reduces planned
fertility, especially when women have weak preferences towards children.
Education decreases planned fertility if strong preferences towards children are
felt.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Demography -- Mexico, Fertility -- Mexico, Contraception -- Mexico, Mexico -- Social life and customs -- 20th century
Official Date:	September 2004
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Economics
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Arulampalam, Wiji ; Stewart, Mark, Prof.
Sponsors:	Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (Mexico)
Extent:	222 leaves
Language:	eng

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