Soap Operas and Fertility: Evidence from Brazil

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
Year: 2012
Volume: 4
Issue: 4
Pages: 1-31

Authors (3)

Eliana La Ferrara (Centre for Economic Policy Res...) Alberto Chong (not in RePEc) Suzanne Duryea (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We estimate the effect of television on fertility in Brazil, where soap operas portray small families. We exploit differences in the timing of entry into different markets of Globo, the main novela producer. Women living in areas covered by Globo have significantly lower fertility. The effect is strongest for women of lower socioeconomic status and in the central and late phases of fertility, consistent with stopping behavior. The result does not appear to be driven by selection in Globo entry. We provide evidence that novelas, and not just television, affected individual choices, based on children's naming patterns and novela content. (JEL J13, J16, L82, O15, Z13)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejapp:v:4:y:2012:i:4:p:1-31
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25