Family policies in the context of low fertility and social structure

Authored by Thomas Fent, Belinda Aparicio Diaz, Alexia Prskawetz

Date Published: 2013-11-13

DOI: 10.4054/demres.2013.29.37

Sponsors: Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and Research Austrian Federal Ministry of Economy Family and Youth Austrian Federal Ministry of Labor Social Affairs and Consumer Protection

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

OBJECTIVE In this paper we investigate the effectiveness of family policies in the context of the social structure of a population. METHODS We use an agent-based model to analyse the impact of policies on individual fertility decisions and on fertility at the aggregate level. The crucial features of our model are the interactions between family policies and social structure, the agents' heterogeneity, and the structure and influence of the social network. This modelling framework allows us to disentangle the direct effect (the alleviation of resource constraints) from the indirect effect (the diffusion of fertility intentions via social ties) of family policies. RESULTS Our results indicate that family policies have a positive and significant impact on fertility. In addition, the specific characteristics of the social network and social effects do not only relate to fertility, but also influence the effectiveness of family policies. CONCLUSIONS Family policies can only be successful if they are designed to take into account the characteristics of the society in which they are implemented.

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