Study links typewriter adoption to lower fertility rates
7 reported
A new research paper examines how the adoption of the typewriter in U.S. workplaces affected women’s labor force participation, marriage, and fertility. The study, authored by Myera Rashid, finds that the typewriter increased women’s labor force participation, which led to lower rates of marriage and fertility. The paper reports that these changes stemmed from White women moving from households into office work and an indirect crowding-in effect that drew Black women into household services. Additionally, the typewriter acted as a “meeting technology” that reshaped social interactions, enabling White women to marry above their socioeconomic backgrounds and achieve upward mobility. The study was highlighted by Kris Gulati.
What’s reported
The paper studies the adoption of the typewriter into U.S. workplaces.
It exploits exogenous variation in typist demand across sectors.
The typewriter increased women’s labor force participation.
This led to lower rates of marriage and fertility.
White women transitioned from households into office work.
An indirect crowding-in effect drew Black women into household services.
The typewriter acted as a “meeting technology” enabling White women to marry above their socioeconomic backgrounds.
Key figures
Myera Rashid (author of the paper)
Kris Gulati (mentioned as source of the paper)
Sources: marginalrevolution.com
