By Freakonomics
Between 1960 and 2000, Brazil’s fertility rate plummeted from 6.3 to 2.3. The only other country with a comparable decline during that period was China, under its rigid one-child policy. But what was behind the Brazilian fertility plunge?
One major factor may have been the influence of soap operas, according to a fascinating new working paper by Eliana La Ferrara, Alberto Chong, and Suzanne Duryea, issued by the Bureau of Economic Analysis for Development. Brazil’s most popular prime-time soaps have for years revolved around small and stable middle-class families that were much smaller than the traditional Brazilian family. The study found that wherever the soaps aired, the fertility for women dropped significantly, as they adapted to the reality they saw on television.
Imported soap operas, meanwhile, seem to have had no effect on fertility rates.
The study builds on work by the economists Robert Jensen and Emily Oster on the role television plays in the empowerment of women in rural India. But this new study is among the first to focus on the effects of specific programming.
Between 1960 and 2000, Brazil’s fertility rate plummeted from 6.3 to 2.3. The only other country with a comparable decline during that period was China, under its rigid one-child policy. But what was behind the Brazilian fertility plunge?
One major factor may have been the influence of soap operas, according to a fascinating new working paper by Eliana La Ferrara, Alberto Chong, and Suzanne Duryea, issued by the Bureau of Economic Analysis for Development. Brazil’s most popular prime-time soaps have for years revolved around small and stable middle-class families that were much smaller than the traditional Brazilian family. The study found that wherever the soaps aired, the fertility for women dropped significantly, as they adapted to the reality they saw on television.
Imported soap operas, meanwhile, seem to have had no effect on fertility rates.
The study builds on work by the economists Robert Jensen and Emily Oster on the role television plays in the empowerment of women in rural India. But this new study is among the first to focus on the effects of specific programming.
Here is my question. If the Brazillian baby/TV connection is valid what does that say about the future of American families? Ideas? Caveats?
Mr. McKay
6 comments:
In line with the proposed theory, America is reaping the benefits of a morally loose television industry. Sexual immorality is accepted and divorce is the A answer. According to this article, the answer for our rising divorce rates and the breakdown of the traditional family is right before our eyes. Literally.
In concurrence with Gabby's comment, the television industry is beginning to promote things like gossip, premarital sex, divorce, disrespect towards parents, and a plethora of other immoral habits. The forthcoming years in television are not looking up in this area, but, hopefully, the youth of America will be able to handle all of the negative ideas the media deals out.
I agree with Devon on the influences tv has on people. Everyone believes that tv shows and movies are not just for entertainment, but how the world is supposed to act. Maybe if the media puts out good morals maybe kids in America can change the immoral environment we have today.
Its sad that television and the media can play such an overpowering and very influential role in our dialy routine but that just proves how weak and naive our society has truly come to be. Often times people imitate behavior from what television exposes because it seems so realistic. We have become so brain washed that our values in life are now confused with what is "ideal" because it seems picture perfect. And who wouldnt want that?... This just goes to show that the future of American families and ideas are plummeting in a downward spiral and soon we will have no voice or individual values to guide us in our everyday lives.
I think it doesnt matter what you watch, you just have to know the difference between reality and tv. Yes, some people get their ideas clouded from Tv shows, Movies, video games ect. but i think the future will look even worse if people do begin to let tv shows run their life. GO OUTSIDE!
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