Social Networks and Fertility

Social networks receive an increasing emphasis in theories of fertility change. In contexts where modern family planning constitutes an innovation, interaction in social networks can affect the spread of new ideas and methods of fertility limitation through the processes of social learning, joint evaluation, and social influence. This article first explores the theoretical arguments that explain why social networks are relevant for understanding fertility behavior. It then presents evidence that social networks exhibit important influences on contraceptive behavior and fertility, and it discusses the implications of social networks for understanding fertility dynamics.