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Research ArticleArticles

Socialized Healthcare and Women’s Fertility Decisions

Resul Cesur, Pinar Mine Gunes, Erdal Tekin and Aydogan Ulker
Published online before print March 09, 2021, 0419-10155R3; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.59.1.0419-10155R3
Resul Cesur
Resul Cesur is an associate professor of healthcare economics in the Department of Finance at University of Connecticut, a research fellow at the Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), and a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER).
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  • For correspondence: [email protected]
Pinar Mine Gunes
Pinar Mine Gunes is an assistant professor in the department of economics at University of Alberta.
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Erdal Tekin
Erdal Tekin is a professor of public policy in the School of Public Affairs at American University, a research fellow at the IZA, and a research associate at the NBER.
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Aydogan Ulker
Aydogan Ulker is an associate professor of economics in the department of economics in Deakin Business School.
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Abstract

This paper examines the effect of a nationwide healthcare reform implemented in Turkey on women’s fertility decisions. Established in 2005, the Family Medicine Program (FMP) provides a wide range of free-of-charge healthcare services to all Turkish citizens through neighborhood clinics. Our results indicate that the FMP significantly reduced childbearing among females at various age categories, especially teenagers and those aged 25-29. Among teenagers, the FMP had an immediate impact on childbearing that is increasing over time, suggesting that the reproductive-heath and family-planning services had a direct negative influence on unplanned pregnancies. Among non-teenage women, however, the program had a gradual and slowly-increasing impact over time, consistent with the notion that the FMP might have led to greater female empowerment. The results from an auxiliary analysis suggest that the FMP might have played a significant role in promoting gender equality and female empowerment, a finding consistent with reduced fertility.

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Journal of Human Resources: 60 (3)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 60, Issue 3
1 May 2025
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Socialized Healthcare and Women’s Fertility Decisions
Resul Cesur, Pinar Mine Gunes, Erdal Tekin, Aydogan Ulker
Journal of Human Resources Mar 2021, 0419-10155R3; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.59.1.0419-10155R3

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Socialized Healthcare and Women’s Fertility Decisions
Resul Cesur, Pinar Mine Gunes, Erdal Tekin, Aydogan Ulker
Journal of Human Resources Mar 2021, 0419-10155R3; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.59.1.0419-10155R3
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