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Influence of birth interval and child labour on family energy requirements and dependency ratios in two traditional subsistence economics in Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

Stanley J. Ulijaszek
Stanley J. Ulijaszek
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge
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Summary

The consequences of different birth intervals on dietary energy requirements and dependency ratios at different stages of the family lifecycle are modelled for Gambian agriculturalists and !Kung hunter–gatherers. Energy requirements reach a peak at between 20 and 30 years after starting a family for the Gambians, and between 15 and 20 years for the !Kung. For the Gambians, shorter birth interval of 30 months. For the !Kung, the lack of participation in subsistence activities by children gives an output:input ratio in excess of that reported in other studies, suggesting that they are in a state of chronic energy deficiency.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 25 , Issue 1 , January 1993 , pp. 79 - 86
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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