Beauty, Polygyny and Fertility: Theory and Evidence

Paul Cahu (), Falilou Fall and Roland Pongou
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Paul Cahu: The World Bank - The World Bank

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Abstract: We propose a simple model of a mating economy in both monogamous and polygynous cultures, and derive implications for how polygyny affects individual and aggregate fertility. We find that an attractive woman is more likely to find a high-status husband. However, when polygyny is allowed, high-status husbands naturally attract other women; this implies that female beauty increases the likelihood of entering into a polygynous relationship. A woman in a polygynous relationship produces fewer children than a woman in a monogamous relationship as long as the preference for reproduction relative to consumption is not too strong. However, the societal practice of polygyny increases aggregate fertility through two distinct channels: (1) by increasing the number of marriages; (2) by triggering fertility contagion: a woman, whether involved in a monogamous or polygynous relationship, produces more children as polygyny becomes more prevalent in her neighborhood. We empirically validate each of the model's key predictions.

Keywords: mating economy; monogamy; polygyny; beauty; status; fertility; contagion; networks (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-gro
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-01130403
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Published in 2014

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Related works:
Working Paper: Beauty, Polygyny and Fertility: Theory and Evidence (2014)
Working Paper: Beauty, Polygyny, and Fertility: Theory and Evidence (2014)
Working Paper: Beauty, Polygyny, and Fertility: Theory and Evidence (2014)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:cesptp:halshs-01130403

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