The effect of labor force participation on the relation between migration status and fertility in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Macisco, J.J.; Bouvier, L.F.; Weller, R.H.
Milbank Memorial Fund Quarterly 48(1): 51-70
1970
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-3745 PMID: 5514479 DOI: 10.2307/3349288Document Number: 512788
To determine the effect of labor force participation on the migration-fertility relationship, urban nonmigrants residing in the San Juan (Puerto Rico) Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) in both 1955 and 1960 were compared with SMSA residents who had migrated from a nonmetropolitan area since 1950. Migration status was determined by husbands and cumulative fertility rates were assessed for wives in 5 groups spanning ages 15-44. Migrant wives averaged 2.7 children compared with 3.1 for nonmigrant wives but urban migration appeared to be age selective; half the migrant wives were below age 30 compared with 39% of their nonmigrant counterparts. Tabulation of age-specific rates indicated that migrants have lower fertility for all cohorts except the 35-44 group which is identical to nonmigrants. While male labor force participation related insignigicantly to migration status, migrant wives were more likely to be employed in white collar jobs than nonmigrants and more likely to be economically active during their most fertile years (ages 20-29). White collar wives displayed lower fertility (1929 children ever born per 1000) than manually working wives (3023 per 1000). The study concludes that both female labor force participation and migration from rural areas to the San Juan SMSA are factors in lower fertility. Rural-urban migration may be selective of a higher achievement orientation.