Major Concept and Theory in the Study of Fertility and Desire for Children in the Era of Low Fertility: essence and synthesis

Abstract

This paper aims to explain and synthesize the important concepts and theories of fertility and desire for children in demography, social science and economics including theory of demographic transition, concept of intermediate variables of fertility, concept of demand and supply for children, value and children’s expenses, intergenerational wealth flows theory, concept of intergenerational relations and concept of social welfare. Therefore, this paper is useful for understanding in the essence and synthesis of these concepts and theories and factors that affect on fertility and desire for children. Furthermore, the knowledge of this paper can be applied as a conceptual framework for research in related fields and used as a basis for setting the quality of birth promotion policy in the era of low fertility.