Theories of Fertility

Abstract

This chapter focuses on theories of fertility. In our view, the theory is important both because of its essential role as a part of the scientific process and because it provides a framework within which policies and programmes are formulated. This dual role provides an essential tension which is the source of much controversy about theories in the area of fertility or other parts of the social sciences. It is rare that social scientists are able to formulate and test theories in such a way as to leave all observers persuaded as to the correctness of a given position and the corollary implications for policy. The much more common situation, nowhere better illustrated than in the area of fertility studies, is that several or many theories co-exist, with none being fully dominant. This situation encourages extended debate about the policy alternatives, where both alternative value structures and alternative theoretical perspectives vie with empirical evidence in the complex process of deciding research priorities and policy options. This reality heightens our need for an understanding of the role of theory and of the specific theoretical alternatives which have been proposed in the literature.