This book provides unique insight into the relationship between economics and family life. Taking ideas from the Austrian school of economics’ understanding of monetary theory, it delves into the drivers of family formation, fertility, and family disintegration, with a particular focus on the role of inflation and inflationary policy. By placing questions surrounding family life within a political economy setting, the impact of relative price changes, inflation culture, and specific monetary policies on the role and structure of the family are highlighted.

This book offers a nuanced and robust understanding of the economic causes of the deinstitutionalization of traditional family life. It will be relevant to students and researchers interested in monetary economics and the economics of the family.

Jeffery L. Degner is Dean of the School of Business & Innovation and Assistant Professor of Economics at Cornerstone University and is a Fellow of the Mises Institute.