A test of the child replacement hypothesis: Nineteenth century Massachusetts

Abstract

Child mortality experience may affect subsequent fertility of couples by exerting the so‐called “physiological” and/or “replacement” responses. The influence of either effect should become apparent upon an examination of individual reproductive histories. The impact of infant and early childhood mortality on subsequent reproductive behavior of couples is analyzed for the presence and intensity of these effects. Historical data are derived from 1,261 families in two communities in western Massachusetts. Relationships of intervals between successive confinements, and parity progression ratios, according to the fate of previous births, are examined. While forms of family limitation have been employed by the study population, indicating that the capacity for replacement existed, the data do not reveal any significant attempt at child replacement.