The Problem of Characterizing Aspirations

Analysis of population changes shows an intergenerational echo effect where the nurture environment of 1 generation effects the tastes for goods and children in the subsequent generation. Taste can be viewed as a function of 3 variables: individual characteristics nurture and peer group influences. Standard economics center on individual characteristics however nurture effects determine aspirations as to the standard of living and ultimate family size desired by individuals. One cannot consider aspirations without considering the nature of the economic commitments needed to achieve them. In the area of free income vs. committed or long-term obligations the latter is the important matter in the decisions about the number of children desired. Therefore the specification of aspirations has to take into account the expenditure commitments associated with a given aspiration level and with a given number of children which are likely to be different for different economic status groups.