Older sisters mean more kids...

According to new research carried out by the University of Sheffield, bearing a son takes so much out of a woman that subsequent children suffer from reduced fertility rates.

Fertility levels among siblings with an older brother were found to be significantly lower than those who had older sisters. Researchers found that children with an older sister had 12 per cent more children than children who had older brothers. They were also 27 per cent more likely to bring up their own children to adulthood.

The findings were based on detailed records in Finland from 1734 and 1861, because from the 17th century the Church of Finland kept detailed records of births, deaths and marriages.

Thanks to The Times, 26/09/07

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