A Home Production Activity Model

The basic theoretical framework for a home production activity model is developed here. This model provides a unified context in which to view production activities, especially within the home. A rationale for the widely held concept of utility is explained, thereby integrating social, psychological, and economic theory in a single theoretical construct. Such an inter disciplinary approach facilitates the understanding and explanation of the processes by which the family carries out its diverse functions. Production activities are examined in an input‐output model and are differentiated accord ing to a classification of household, market, or home production. Output is defined in such a manner as to specifically expand the recently developed characteristic approach to consumer decision‐ making. This process allows us to view a broad range of family activities and place them on a continuum extending from production to consumption. Such a perspective pro vides a framework for analyzing home management and family development decisions of re source allocation with respect to human capital, material capital, time, consumption, and production.