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SummaryThis paper, based on data from two independent but concurrent studies, seeks to show that the explanation for the inconclusive results concerning fertility and family type in India lies in the failure of previous researchers to take account of an important intervening variable, the family life cycle. Fertility levels are examined in nuclear and joint families in a village in Western India and changes in relationships at different stages in the family cycle are considered. The most important conclusion is that aggregate level observations which indicate that fertility varies according to family type are misleading. When other relevant factors such as age or stage in the family life cycle are controlled, there is little evidence of any intrinsic connection between fertility and family type.