Areal structure and rates of childlessness among American wives in 1970

Abstract

After merging data on counties from the 1970 census and data from 1969 family planning programs, we aggregated smaller counties as necessary into statistical areal units (SAU's) of at least 20,000 white or 10,000 Black women aged 15–44. We used multiple regression analysis of 12 white and 12 Black subgroups of wives (divided by age and 1969 family income) to test an explanatory model, based on cost‐reward theory, of areal variation in rates of childlessness. Our prediction that childlessness is related to areal differences in alternative roles and other factors that delay childbearing was strongly supported for white wives and generally confirmed for Black wives.