Static versus dynamic analysis of the interaction between female labour force participation and fertility.

摘要: Numerous studies have found a negative relationship between female labour-force participation and fertility. In theory, there could be three explanations of this finding: (i) causality runs from to fertility, (ii) fertility participation, (iii) both ways. Alternatively, the may not causal one. practice, empirical covering wide range Western countries at different times, utilizing great variety methods techniques, shown all four possibilities plausible. This because outcomes differ country for socio-cultural reasons, or period historical ones. If so, applying various methodologies data one particular point in time should yield consistent results that direction only. they did would appear method-dependent. The single set used study refers Netherlands 1984 (ORIN project). is investigated by means methodologies, ranging ‘static’ ‘dynamic’, i.e., differing according degree which take temporal aspects decision-making process underlying into account: simultaneous logit analysis, Granger analysis Markov analysis. Each main approach applied two ways on subgroups, total six applications. spite diverging operationalizations basic variables, it turns out these analyses favour inference decisions do an impact labour force but other way around, whereas confirm earlier findings (from sets collected during 1970s) reciprocal. Substantively, might indicate pattern covariance changing. But only method consistently unidirectionality, while depend modality applied. Methodologically, issue method-dependency, least area, remains largely unresolved.