This chapter explores the biases and challenges in conducting research on parenting and child development. It discusses social debates surrounding issues like parent-child time and the effects of daycare, as well as biases in adoption and twin research. The importance of empirical research and considering remedies in child development studies is also highlighted.
Bryan Caplan of George Mason University and EconLog talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about the ideas in Caplan's new book, Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids. Caplan argues that parents spend too much time trying to influence how their kids will turn out as adults. Using research on twins and adopted children, Caplan argues that nature dominates nurture and that parents have little lasting influence on many aspects of their children's lives. He concludes that parents should spend less time and energy trying to influence their children. If parenting takes less time, then have more kids, says Caplan. The conversation concludes with a discussion of whether a larger population is bad for the planet.