The price of children and socio-economic theories of fertility.

Abstract Demographers have for some time suggested that the cost of children has an important bearing on couples' fertility decisions. Dublin and Lotka, for example, voiced the opinion that 'it is undoubtedly the anticipation of greatly increased expenditures, the sudden demands made on the family exchequer when a child is born and for some time after, that causes people of limited income to restrict the size of their families'. Banks, Myrdal, and Day and Day have echoed this same theme.