Differential Fertility: Examining the Effects of Age, Race, and Socioeconomic Status
The concept of differential fertility, or the idea that certain populations have varying levels of fertility, is an important consideration in understanding population growth and composition. This article seeks to explore the effect of age, race, and socioeconomic status on differential fertility in the United States.
Age
Studies have shown that age is a strong predictor of fertility in the United States. The reproductive rate is highest among women aged 25–29, with an average of about two births per woman (Kost & Vigdor, 2010). This rate decreases steadily with age, with the lowest rate seen among women aged 40–44, at an average of about 0.5 births per woman (Kost & Vigdor, 2010). This trend is largely attributed to the decline in fecundity associated with aging, as well as the increasing prevalence of contraceptive use with age (Kost & Vigdor, 2010).
Race
Studies have also shown that race is a key factor in differential fertility in the United States. According to the National Vital Statistics Reports, non-Hispanic white women have the lowest fertility rate of any racial or ethnic group, at 1.77 births per woman (Martin, Hamilton, Osterman, Curtin, & Mathews, 2018). In contrast, Hispanic women have the highest fertility rate, at 2.19 births per woman (Martin et al., 2018). This difference is largely attributed to higher rates of premarital pregnancy and lower contraceptive use among Hispanic women, as well as other factors such as education, employment, and family structure (Kost & Vigdor, 2010).
Socioeconomic Status
Finally, studies have shown that socioeconomic status is also a key factor in differential fertility. Women with higher levels of education and income tend to have lower fertility rates than women with lower levels of education and income (Kost & Vigdor, 2010). This is largely attributed to greater access to contraception and family planning services among women with higher levels of education and income (Kost & Vigdor, 2010).
Conclusion
In conclusion, age, race, and socioeconomic status are all key factors in differential fertility in the United States. Women aged 25–29 have the highest fertility rate, while non-Hispanic white women have the lowest rate. Additionally, women with higher levels of education and income tend to have lower fertility rates than women with lower levels of education and income. Understanding the effects of these factors on fertility is important for understanding population growth and composition.
References
Kost, K., & Vigdor, J. (2010). Differential fertility and contraceptive use by race and ethnicity: Evidence from the National Survey of Family Growth. Demography, 47(3), 615-633.
Martin, J. A., Hamilton, B. E., Osterman, M. J. K., Curtin, S. C., & Mathews, T. J. (2018). Births: Final data for 2017. National Vital Statistics Reports, 67(7).