Family Economy and the Black American Fertility Transition

Abstract

Residential patterns in the economic roles of black children and married women are described for the United States at the turn of the twentieth century. Black children were much less likely to report a gainful occupation in cities than in the countryside. And, within rural areas, farm children were somewhat more likely to work, and began working at a younger age, than their nonfarm counterparts. On the other hand, urban children were more likely to attend school, and did so for more months during the year. While black women in all settings reported relatively high levels of gainful employment, urban and rural nonfarm residents were far more likely to work outside the home. It is suggested that this residential variation in women's and children's roles can help explain corresponding residential differences in fertility levels, and the timing offertility transition.