Changing Patterns of Fertility in the South: A Social-Demographic Examination

The trend in the fertility differences between the South and the remainder of the U.S. - a differential which has existed since colonial times - is examined. From the earliest censuses on the South has tended to have consistently higher levels of fertility than the rest of the U.S. The general issue of regional fertility differences is dealt with before preceding with the more specific question. The approach taken is that of controlling for compositional differences and examining empirically the trend in the souther/nonsouthern fertility differential with particular emphasis on the period since World War 2. The long-standing higher fertility of the South relative to the non-South has stopped. During the 1950s the convergence and reversal in fertility levels occurred. By the end of 1970 southern fertility was lower than nonsouthern fertility because southerners prefer fewer children than nonsoutherners. In response to the question Why should region of residence be a social variable producing distinct fertility norms and there is only speculation. The source of this regional difference is probably the same as the source of fertility differences across developed nations - differences in historical and cultural backgrounds. The South and the non-South have had different historical experiences beginning in Colonial times through the Civil War and to the present period. Probably these different sets of experiences have resulted in different values and norma. Clearly region is a variable that sociologists interested in fertility will have to deal with in the future.