Japanese rural fertility; some social and economic factors

Summary

The paper sets out to examine some of the attitudes and family institutions affecting the fertility of the Japanese farming population and to indicate the nature of recent changes. First, factors affecting age at marriage are examined, with the conclusion that the trend toward later marriage may continue. Secondly, in a consideration of the background of the traditional large-family ideal, it is concluded that while the duty of securing an heir is still unquestioned, and a high value is still placed on a large family as a source of emotional satisfaction, prestige and security in old age, the decline in child mortality, the effects of rural overpopulation, and the growth of educational obligations and opportunities are tending to undermine the large-family ideal. Thirdly, evidence is quoted of an increasing desire to limit families and of the lack of any ideological barriers to limitation. In a brief indication of recent trends the tendency for the greatest decline in fertility to take place among medium proprietors and the immediate catalytic effects of birth-control propaganda are discussed.