[Economic decisions within the family and key demographic variables: a simultaneous equations model for Chile].

Abstract

The extent to which a theory of family decisions (in which fertility behavior and family size are based on family's economic interests) can be applied to data for Chile is examined. Data for the period 1960-1985 concerning fertility and infant mortality are used. "The structure is a four equation relation: one for the birth rate, one for infant mortality rate, one for the rate of the participation of women in the labor market, and the last one, used as auxiliary for the per capita income." The results confirm the validity of the theory. (SUMMARY IN ENG)