Why have children in the 21st century? Biological predisposition, social coercion, rational choice

This review examines arguments and evidence pertaining to the question: why have children in settings where the net economic costs of children are cle arly substantial? The review is organized around three themes: biological p redispositions, environment (social coercion) and rational choice. Specific ally, we explore the argument that evolution has produced sets of genes tha t predispose persons to childbearing by making sex and parenthood pleasurab le. We review sociological arguments regarding the pronatalism/antinatalism of societal institutions. Finally, we discuss arguments that stress the ra tionality of childbearing decisions by appealing to biological predispositi ons and the economic and non-economic values of children. The authors specu late that while a modern social structure and rationale supportive of child bearing could be constructed, such changes are not inevitable and may be di fficult in the face of competing interests. Moreover, future social and tec hnological change could alter the context of childbearing substantially. Th is uncertainty complicates policy recommendations.