The economics of the family and family policy 1. Economists and the family 2. The family as an economic unit 3. Marriage(I) 4. Marriage (II) 5. Children 6. The intergenerational pact 7. Inheritance 8. Family protection and pro natalist policies 9. The economic foundations and effects of a policy for the family 10. Technical problems involved in an economic policy for family protection This comprehensive and authoritative book offers a global approach to the modern economics of the family family law and family policy. Beginning with the division of labour in the family this book deals with the economics of marriage the demand for children inter generational relationships and the economics of inheritance. The family is analysed using the theory of utility maximisation assuming that individuals wish to achieve the greatest possible satisfaction with limited resources and imperfect knowledge. The family is examined from both long and short term perspectives and it is assumed that the family is cooperative with incentives for altruistic behaviour greater than in any other social group