Fertility and the plough
By: Alberto Alesina, Paola Giuliano, Nathan Nunn
Contributors: Giuliano, Paola; Nunn, Nathan; National Bureau of Economic Research
Series: NBER working paper series -- working paper 16718; Working paper series (National Bureau of Economic Research : Online) -- working paper no. 16718.
Publisher: National Bureau of Economic Research
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Cambridge, MA
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] /
Description: "The current study finds that societies which historically engaged in plough agriculture today have lower fertility.  We argue, and provide ethnographic evidence, that the finding is explained by the fact that with plough agriculture, children, like women, are relatively less useful in the field.  The plough requires strength and eliminates the need for weeding, a task particularly suitable for women and children.  This in turn generates a preference for fewer children, lowering fertility"--National Bureau of Economic Research web site.
Notes: Title from PDF file as viewed on 4/28/2011.

Includes bibliographical references.

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