Evolutionary theory and historical fertility change

Chris Wilson*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    9 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Probably no issue divides social scientists and natural scientists more demonstrably than their attitudes on the value of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. The present essay suggests the role that Darwinian theory can play in the study of human fertility. After examining the nature of Darwinian theory, the essay considers research carried out on fertility by biologists and anthropologists with methods based on it and possible reformulations of demographic methods and analyses that could benefit fertility research. It ends with suggestions for further research to explore the value of Darwinian approaches to demographic issues.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)531-541
    Number of pages11
    JournalPopulation and Development Review
    Volume25
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1999

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