More than a leap of faith: the impact of biological and religious correlates on reproductive behavior.

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  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Wayne State University Press Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0116717 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 0018-7143 (Print) Linking ISSN: 00187143 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Hum Biol Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: Detroit, MI : Wayne State University Press
    • Subject Terms:
      Models, Theoretical*; Marriage/*history ; Religion/*history ; Reproductive Behavior/*history; Adult ; Biological Factors ; Family/ethnology ; Female ; Germany ; History, 18th Century ; History, 19th Century ; History, 20th Century ; Humans ; Male ; Maternal Age ; Parity ; Seasons ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Sociology
    • Abstract:
      Using a conceptual model that integrates both social and biomedical factors of causation, this paper tries to delineate the pathways through which the reproductive characteristics of a multidenominational community are characterized. In total, 5513 historical entries from family reconstitution were available. Selection of data was guided by the inclusion of information about religious affiliation. Only married couples with children as well as single mothers with the relevant information were considered. Of these, 1855 entries were of Roman Catholic (C), 1143 of Lutheran/Protestant (L/P2), and 609 of Reformed Calvinist (R) denomination. The analysis documented differential nuptiality and fertility patterns, which at first glance may be interpreted along religious lines. However, the paper attempts to show that these various sociocultural patterns associated with religious behavior are merely proximate determinants, while the ultimate causes are biological in nature (i.e., differential parental age at marriage or birth, different parity progression regimes, differences in median interpregnancy interval, as well as highly variable sibship size within the denominational groups).
    • Accession Number:
      0 (Biological Factors)
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20040207 Date Completed: 20040408 Latest Revision: 20191108
    • Publication Date:
      20231215
    • Accession Number:
      10.1353/hub.2003.0076
    • Accession Number:
      14763606