One direct implication of the view that childbearing decisions are influenced by economic benefits and costs is that:
A) people will not have additional children unless they can earn a profit from doing so.
B) social factors do not affect childbearing decisions.
C) compulsory education will increase fertility by raising each child's prospective earnings.
D) fertility should fall with improved opportunities for women to work in jobs outside the home.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The view that childbearing decisions are influenced by economic benefits and costs suggests that as women have better job opportunities outside the home, the cost of having children in terms of lost earnings increases. Therefore, fertility should fall with improved opportunities for women to work in jobs outside the home. Option A is incorrect because people may have children for non-economic reasons, such as social and cultural factors. Option B is incorrect because social factors can indeed influence childbearing decisions, but those social factors may also have economic components. Option C is incorrect because compulsory education may increase each child's human capital, but it does not necessarily raise their prospective earnings. Furthermore, even if it did, it is unclear whether this would increase or decrease fertility.

One Direct Implication of the View That Childbearing Decisions Are