Demographic Analysis of Small Populations Using the Own-Children Method

This article discusses the own-childrenmethod, a reverse-survival techniquedevised by demographers to estimate Total Fertility Rates in the absence of detailed data on reproduction. The method is useful for researchers such as anthropologists since the basic data requirements can be met through a household survey. It can help researchers answer key questions concerning population processes within well-delineated social, cultural, economic, and political contexts. The author uses a historical tax register from Tibet to illustrate the steps taken when using the own-children method.