Value of children, well-being, and family size in Zambia

The study examines factors that contribute to family size preferences. In particular, it explores the relative impact of perceived economic value of children on family size preferences. In addition, the study explores the relationship of some life concerns with perceived life quality of parents and children.; The data for this study were generated through a 1987 sample survey conducted in Zambia in which 3,473 respondents were interviewed. A multi-stage stratified sample design was adopted. The date are representative of the population in four rural provinces and one urban area. Univariate, bivariate and multi-variate statistical techniques were employed in the analysis. Multiple Classification Analysis was used as a multivariate analytical technique.; Major findings from the study suggest that the perceived value of children's economic contribution to parents is directly related to family size preferences. Even after controlling for other predictors, perceived value of children's work contribution and perceived value of old age support from children have independent effects on family size preferences. Perceived costs of children are negatively related to family size preferences. However, the net effects are generally small. Socio-demographic predictors, including parity and education, are strongly related to family size preference measures.; Economic motivation for wanting children is most salient among rural respondents and comparatively less so for the urban group, and the salience is almost the same for men and women. It was also found that higher education for parents dampens the perceived economic value of children.; Regarding well-being, this study found a weak but interesting relationship between parity and life quality. Parents with three or four children tend to be more satisfied with their quality of life than other parents, most notably parents with seven or more children. Positive evaluations of basic concerns including health status, housing facilities and education greatly enhance life quality.; The main findings suggest that fertility decline in this society is likely to take place when perceptions of children as being economic assets change to their being economic liabilities.