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American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics: Vol. 3 No. 2 (April 2011)
AEJ: Macro Volume. 3, Issue 2 | 
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Did Improvements in Household Technology Cause the Baby Boom? Evidence from Electrification, Appliance Diffusion, and the Amish
Article Citation
Bailey, Martha J., and
William J. Collins. 2011. "Did Improvements in Household Technology Cause the Baby Boom? Evidence from Electrification, Appliance Diffusion, and the Amish."
American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics,
3(2): 189-217.
DOI: 10.1257/mac.3.2.189
DOI: 10.1257/mac.3.2.189
Abstract
We examine the hypothesis that advances in household technology caused the US baby boom, and we find no support for this claim. Advances in household technology occurred before the baby boom, while fertility declined. From 1940 to 1960, levels/changes in county-level appliance ownership and electrification negatively predict
levels/changes in fertility rates. Exposure to electricity in early adulthood and children-ever-born are negatively correlated for the relevant cohorts. The Amish, who used modern technologies much less than other US households, experienced a coincident baby boom. This evidence can be reconciled with economic theory if other home-produced goods are substitutes with children. (JEL D12, J13, N32, N92, O33)
Article Full-Text Access
Full-text Article
Additional Materials
Download Data Set (142.93 MB) | Online Appendix (129.22 KB)
Authors
Bailey, Martha J. (U MI)
Collins, William J. (Vanderbilt U)
Collins, William J. (Vanderbilt U)
JEL Classifications
D12: Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
J13: Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
N32: Economic History: Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy: U.S.; Canada: 1913-
N92: Regional and Urban History: U.S.; Canada: 1913-
O33: Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
J13: Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
N32: Economic History: Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy: U.S.; Canada: 1913-
N92: Regional and Urban History: U.S.; Canada: 1913-
O33: Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
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