Volume 29 - Article 37 | Pages 963–998  

Family policies in the context of low fertility and social structure

By Thomas Fent, Belinda Aparicio Diaz, Alexia Prskawetz

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.

Author’s Affiliation

• Thomas Fent - Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Austria EMAIL
• Belinda Aparicio Diaz - Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Austria EMAIL
• Alexia Prskawetz - Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital (IIASA, OeAW, University of Vienna), Austria EMAIL

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