The Conflict between Aspirations and Resources

3 events in American history are cited as evidence that behavior is influenced by the interplay between aspirations and the resources people have to satisfy their aspirations. 1st the total fertility rate for the U.S. 1940-1975 is plotted against the employment rate for young adult males. The fertility rates rise and fall behind the employment rates trailing by about a year or so. It is concluded that when the male feels unable to support a larger family the couple decides to postpone childbearing. 2nd real gross national product per capita is plotted against personal happiness scores gathered as the result of post-World-War-2 surveys in various countries by Gallup NORC and Cantril. This found that personal happiness was reported to be higher in countries where real gains had taken place in per capita income. The 3rd application surveys the declining birthrates among U.S. farm families in the 1800s. The hypothesis is that farmers wanted each child to receive a proper start in life and this was possible only by limiting family size. Examination of census records shows that fertility declined more in older more settled areas much more rapidly than in the frontier areas. A possible explanation is that it was more difficult to obtain land for a son to farm in the older areas. A table plotting family size against farm acreage values seems to bear this out. It is hoped this line of inquiry will lead to further research.