The empowerment of women, fertility, and child mortality: Towards a theoretical analysis

Mukesh Eswaran

Journal of Population Economics, 2002, vol. 15, issue 3, 433-454

Abstract: This paper examines one avenue through which female autonomy impinges on fertility and child mortality in developing countries. A simple model is set out in which couples are motivated to have children for old age security purposes. The decisions of a couple regarding fertility and allocation of resources for the healthcare of their children are made within a bargaining framework. An increase in female autonomy translating into an increase in the relative bargaining power or the threat point utility of mothers is shown to reduce fertility and also to reduce child mortality rates. Paradoxically, the increase in female autonomy within a household may increase the disadvantage suffered by female children in that household with respect to survival.

Keywords: Child; mortality; ·; fertility; ·; empowerment; of; women (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D19 J12 J13 J16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2002-08-02
Note: Received: 4 August 1999/Accepted: 7 September 2000
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (60)

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